Shloka 16
भीमसेन–कर्णयुद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Bhīmasena–Karṇa Engagement
मृदज्भेष्वपि राजेन्द्र वाद्यमानेष्वनेकश: । महारथा: समाख्याता दुर्योधनहितैषिण:
mṛdabhyeṣv api rājendra vādyamāneṣv anekaśaḥ | mahārathāḥ samākhyātā duryodhana-hitaiṣiṇaḥ ||
मृदङ्गेष्वपि राजेन्द्र वाद्यमानेष्वनेकशः । महारथाः समाख्याता दुर्योधनहितैषिणः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how war is sustained not only by weapons but by organized proclamation, morale, and allegiance: elite warriors are publicly identified as “well-wishers of Duryodhana,” underscoring the ethical weight of loyalty and the consequences of choosing a side.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that amid the repeated beating of drums—signals of mobilization and excitement—the Kaurava camp is announcing the names of its foremost mahārathas, presenting them as champions committed to Duryodhana’s cause.