Shloka 16
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
भवन्तश्न परिश्रान्ता वयं च भृशविक्षता: । उदीर्ण च बल तेषां तेन युद्ध न रोचये,हम सब लोग विश्राम करके अपनी थकावट दूर कर लें तो अवश्य विजयी होंगे। आप लोग भी बहुत थके हुए हैं और हम भी अत्यन्त घायल हो चुके हैं। उधर पाण्डवोंका बल बढ़ा हुआ है; इसलिये इस समय मेरी युद्ध करनेकी रुचि नहीं हो रही है
bhavantaś ca pariśrāntā vayaṁ ca bhṛśa-vikṣatāḥ | udīrṇaṁ ca balaṁ teṣāṁ tena yuddhaṁ na rocaye ||
Duryodhana disse: “Vós estais exaustos, e nós também estamos gravemente feridos. Além disso, a força deles se avolumou. Por isso, neste momento não tenho desejo de entrar em batalha.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic, ethically charged moment in warfare: leadership must recognize exhaustion and injury, assess the enemy’s rising strength, and avoid fighting merely out of pride. It underscores that judgment and restraint can be as decisive as valor.
In the Shalya Parva context, Duryodhana addresses his side, noting that both commanders and troops are worn out and badly hurt, while the Pāṇḍavas appear to have gained momentum. On this assessment, he expresses reluctance to continue fighting immediately.