Shloka 21
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
जघान सुबहूंस्तेषां संरब्ध: कुरुसत्तम: । ततस्ते शरणं जम्मुर्देवव्रतमिमं भयात्
jaghāna subahūṁs teṣāṁ saṁrabdhaḥ kurusattamaḥ | tatas te śaraṇaṁ jagmur devavratam imaṁ bhayāt ||
ਕ੍ਰੋਧ ਨਾਲ ਭੜਕੇ ਕੁਰੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਸ਼੍ਰੇਸ਼ਠ ਭੀਸ਼ਮ ਨੇ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਹੁਤਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਰ ਡਾਲਿਆ। ਤਦ ਉਹ ਰਾਜੇ ਡਰ ਕੇ ਮੁੜ ਇਸੇ ਦੇਵਵ੍ਰਤ (ਭੀਸ਼ਮ) ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾ ਪਏ।
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring ethical dynamic in the epic: when confronted by overwhelming force and the consequences of conflict, people often abandon pride and factionalism to seek refuge in the strongest protector. It also reflects how a warrior’s prowess can become the pivot of political allegiance in wartime.
Duryodhana recounts that Bhīṣma (Devavrata), furious in battle, killed many among certain kings; frightened by this, the remaining kings returned and sought Bhīṣma’s protection.