Draupadī Meets Kṛṣṇa’s Queens — Narratives of the Lord’s Marriages and the Queens’ Bhakti
सज्यं कृत्वापरे वीरा मागधाम्बष्ठचेदिपा: । भीमो दुर्योधन: कर्णो नाविदंस्तदवस्थितिम् ॥ २३ ॥
sajyaṁ kṛtvāpare vīrā māgadhāmbaṣṭha-cedipāḥ bhīmo duryodhanaḥ karṇo nāvidaṁs tad-avasthitim
วีรบุรุษบางคน—ชราสันธะแห่งมคธะ ศิศุปาลกษัตริย์เจที กษัตริย์อัมพัษฐะ ภีมะ ทุรโยธนะ และกรรณะ—สามารถขึ้นสายคันธนูได้ แต่ไม่มีผู้ใดรู้ตำแหน่งของเป้า จึงยิงไม่ถูก
These kings were very strong physically, but they were not skillful enough to find the target.
It states that several kings prepared for conflict by stringing their bows, while Bhīma, Duryodhana, and Karṇa failed to grasp the true situation unfolding.
In the Kurukṣetra gathering, tensions and alliances were complex; the verse highlights their lack of clarity about the real intent and dynamics of the assembly compared to others who immediately prepared for battle.
When emotions and rivalry are strong, people can misread reality; pausing to understand the broader context before reacting can prevent unnecessary conflict.