Shloka 676
रोचितो भवता सार्थ जानतापि बल तव । “कुन्तीनन्दन! तुम्हारे बलको जानते हुए भी दुर्योधनने कर्णका भरोसा करके ही तुम्हारे साथ युद्ध छेड़ना पसंद किया है
rocito bhavatā sārtha jñānatāpi bala tava | kuntīnandana! tvad-balaṃ jñātvāpi duryodhanena karṇa-bharosāyaiva tvayā saha yuddhaṃ chettum iṣṭam |
Sañjaya disse: “Ó filho de Kunti, embora tua força seja bem conhecida, Duryodhana escolheu provocar esta guerra contigo, depositando sua confiança somente em Karna. Conhecendo teu poder, ainda assim prefere a batalha—movido pela dependência de um aliado, e não pela prudente contenção.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of pride and misplaced reliance: even when an opponent’s strength is known, one may still choose conflict out of overconfidence in an ally. It implicitly contrasts prudent restraint with ego-driven escalation.
Sanjaya addresses Arjuna (Kuntinandana), explaining that Duryodhana, despite knowing Arjuna’s power, has decided to engage in war because he is banking on Karna’s support and prowess.