Shloka 13
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
स वीर्यमदमत्तत्वाद् भीष्मद्रोणावुपाश्रित: । रथमारोप्य तां कन्यामाजहार नराधिप:
sa vīrya-mada-mattatvād bhīṣma-droṇāv upāśritaḥ | ratham āropya tāṃ kanyām ājahāra narādhipaḥ ||
நாரதர் கூறினார்—தன் வீரப் பெருமிதத்தில் மயங்கி, பீஷ்மர் துரோணர் ஆகியோரின் ஆதரவை நம்பிய அந்த அரசன், அந்தக் கன்னியைத் தேரில் ஏற்றி வலுக்கட்டாயமாகக் கவர்ந்து கொண்டு சென்றான்.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that pride in strength (vīrya-mada) can intoxicate a ruler into committing adharma—here, the coercive seizure of a maiden—especially when he feels emboldened by powerful protectors. Ethical kingship requires restraint and respect for others’ agency, not merely reliance on might or influential allies.
Nārada narrates that a king, made arrogant by his power and supported by Bhīṣma and Droṇa, abducts a princess by placing her on his chariot and taking her away. The focus is on the act of abduction and the moral failure driven by arrogance and perceived impunity.