Shloka 51
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
अश्वत्थाम्नो महाराज स च शूर: स्थितो मम । सर्व एते महाराज देवकल्पा महारथा:,महाराज! अभश्वृत्थामाके ये पिता, माता और मामा तीनों ही अयोनिज हैं। अश्वत्थामा भी शूरवीर एवं मेरे पक्षमें स्थित हैं। राजन! ये सभी योद्धा देवताओंके समान पराक्रमी एवं महारथी हैं
aśvatthāmno mahārāja sa ca śūraḥ sthito mama | sarva ete mahārāja devakalpā mahārathāḥ ||
Duryodhana disse: «Ó grande rei, Aśvatthāmā também é um herói e está do meu lado. De fato, ó rei, todos esses guerreiros são como os deuses em poder — grandes combatentes de carro.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how leaders use the language of divine-like strength and elite status to legitimize their cause; ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between mere power (bala) and righteousness (dharma) when judging a war’s justification.
Duryodhana is enumerating and praising the strength of his supporters, emphasizing that Aśvatthāman is firmly aligned with him and that the assembled warriors are formidable “great chariot-fighters,” as the Kurukṣetra conflict approaches.