Shloka 17
कालेन महता चैषां भविष्यति पराभव: । प्रकृतिं ते भजिष्यन्ति नष्टप्रकृतयो मयि,'दीर्घकालके पश्चात् इनकी भारी पराजय होगी। इनकी स्वाभाविक शूरता-वीरता आदि नष्ट हो जायगी और ये मेरे पास ही प्राणत्याग करेंगे”
kālena mahatā caiṣāṁ bhaviṣyati parābhavaḥ | prakṛtiṁ te bhajiṣyanti naṣṭa-prakṛtayo mayi ||
طویل زمانہ گزرنے کے بعد ان پر بڑی شکست لازماً آئے گی۔ ان کی فطری دلیری اور جلال ٹوٹ جائے گا؛ اپنی اصل سرشت کھو کر آخرکار وہ میرے ہی سامنے جان دے دیں گے۔
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses the moral logic of time and consequence: arrogance and adharma may appear strong for a while, but in the long run they lead to inner collapse—loss of steadiness, courage, and right judgment—ending in inevitable downfall.
Yudhiṣṭhira speaks with foreboding certainty about the opposing side’s future: after a long period, they will suffer a major defeat; their natural strength will deteriorate, and they will ultimately come to ruin in relation to him (i.e., in his presence/under his authority).