Shloka 31
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 47 — Arjuna’s Deterrent Declaration
Sañjaya’s Report
यदा द्रष्टा द्रौपदेयान् महेषून् शूरान् कृतास्त्रान् रथयुद्धकोविदान् | आशीविषान् घोरविषानिवायत- स्तदा युद्ध धार्तराष्ट्रोडन्वतप्स्यत्
sañjaya uvāca | yadā draṣṭā draupadeyān maheṣūn śūrān kṛtāstrān rathayuddhakovidān | āśīviṣān ghoraviṣān ivāyatas tadā yuddhe dhārtarāṣṭro 'nvatapsyat ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Kapag nakita ni Duryodhana ang mga anak ni Draupadī—mga makapangyarihang mamamana, mga bayani, ganap na sanay sa sandata, at bihasa sa digmaang-karwahe—na sumusulong na parang mga nakamamatay na ahas na may kamandag, kung gayon sa gitna ng labanan, ang anak ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra ay sasakmalin ng mapait na pagsisisi dahil siya ang nagpasimula ng digmaang ito.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical consequence of initiating unjust conflict: when the reality of violence and its capable opponents becomes undeniable, pride collapses into remorse. It implies that adharma-driven choices may feel powerful at first but culminate in suffering and regret.
Sañjaya foretells Duryodhana’s reaction in battle: upon seeing the Draupadeyas—expert, formidable chariot-warriors—advance like deadly serpents, Duryodhana will be tormented by regret for having provoked the war.