Shloka 14
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
भवद्धयां पुरुषाग्र्या भ्यां स्थिताभ्यां विजये मम । नदुर्लभं कुरुश्रेष्ठ देवराज्यमपि ध्रुवम्,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! जब आप दोनों पुरुषप्रवर वीर मेरी विजयके लिये यहाँ खड़े हैं, तब तो अवश्य ही मेरे लिये देवताओंका राज्य भी दुर्लभ नहीं है
bhavadbhyāṃ puruṣāgryābhyāṃ sthitābhyāṃ vijaye mama | na durlabhaṃ kuruśreṣṭha devarājyam api dhruvam ||
ஓ குருசிறந்தவனே! நீங்கள் இருவரும் மனிதர்களில் முதன்மையாய் என் வெற்றிக்காக இங்கே நிலைத்திருக்கையில், தேவர்களின் அரசாட்சியும் எனக்கு நிச்சயமாக எட்டாதது அல்ல.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how confidence rooted in powerful allies can inflate ambition and pride: Duryodhana equates the support of two great warriors with guaranteed success, even imagining divine sovereignty as attainable. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s warning that reliance on strength and ego, rather than dharma and restraint, can drive one toward destructive choices.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana addresses two eminent men standing on his side for his victory. He boasts that with their support his triumph is assured, to the extent that even the gods’ kingdom would not be hard for him to obtain.