Shloka 11
Bhīmasena’s Discourse on Kāla, Resolve, and the Feasibility of Ajñātavāsa (भीमसेनस्य कालोपदेशः)
राजान: पार्थिवाश्वैव येडस्माभिरुपतापिता: । संश्रिता: कौरवं पक्ष जातस्नेहाश्न तं प्रति,भूरिश्रवा, शल, पराक्रमी जलसंध, भीष्म, द्रोण, कर्ण, बलवान् अश्व॒त्थामा तथा सदाके आततायी दुर्योधन आदि दुर्धर्ष धृतराष्ट्रपत्न--ये सभी अस्त्र-विद्याके ज्ञाता हैं एवं हमने जिन राजाओं तथा भूमिपालोंको युद्धमें कष्ट पहुँचाया है, वे सभी कौरवपक्षमें मिल गये हैं और उधर ही उनका स्नेह हो गया है
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | rājānaḥ pārthivāś caiva ye ’smābhir upatāpitāḥ | saṃśritāḥ kauravaṃ pakṣaṃ jātasnehāś ca taṃ prati | bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ parākrāmī jalasaṃdhaḥ bhīṣmaḥ droṇaḥ karṇaḥ balavān aśvatthāmā tathā sadā | ātatāyī duryodhana-ādayaḥ durdharṣā dhṛtarāṣṭra-patnī-putrāś ca | ete sarve ’stra-vidyā-jñāḥ | asmābhir yuddhe ye rājānaḥ bhūmipālāś ca kleśitāḥ te sarve kaurava-pakṣe saṃgatāḥ, tatraiva ca teṣāṃ sneho jātaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Yaong mga hari at tagapangalaga ng lupain na dati nating pinahirapan at ginulo ay kumupkop na ngayon sa panig ng mga Kaurava; ang kanilang paglingap ay napunta na sa kanila. Kasama nila ang mga kakila-kilabot na mandirigma—sina Bhūriśravas, Śala, ang magiting na Jalasandha, si Bhīṣma, si Droṇa, si Karṇa, at ang makapangyarihang Aśvatthāmā—at naroon din si Duryodhana na mahirap daigin at ang iba pang mapanlusob, kasama ang mga anak ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Lahat sila’y mga dalubhasa sa kaalaman ng sandata. Tunay nga, ang mismong mga hari at tagapagtanggol ng lupa na ating pinasakit sa digmaan ay pawang sumanib sa pangkat ng Kaurava, at doon na nanahan ang kanilang katapatan.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic consequence of prior conduct: rulers who were previously harmed tend to shift allegiance to one’s enemies. It underscores that political support is shaped by remembered injury and perceived protection, and that dharma in governance includes restraint and foresight, not merely victory in battle.
Yudhiṣṭhira assesses the growing strength of the Kaurava camp. He notes that many kings once troubled by the Pāṇḍavas have now joined Duryodhana, and he enumerates renowned warriors on that side, emphasizing their mastery of weapons and the formidable challenge they pose.