Shloka 19
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
यत्र भीष्मश्न द्रोणश्न॒ कृप: कर्णो विविंशति: । अश्रत्थामा विकर्णश्न॒ सोमदत्तो5थ बाह्विक:
yatra bhīṣmaś ca droṇaś ca kṛpaḥ karṇo viviṁśatiḥ | aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca somadatto 'tha bāhlikaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: “Hỡi bậc ưu tú của dòng Bharata! Về phe nào có Bhīṣma và Droṇa, lại có Kṛpa, Karṇa, Viviṁśati, Aśvatthāmā, Vikarṇa, Somadatta và Bāhlika—thì vị vua nào đầu óc đảo điên mới dám gây chiến với những chiến sĩ lẫy lừng như thế?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and practical irrationality of initiating war against a side strengthened by eminent elders and master-warriors. It implies that such a choice reflects distorted judgment (viparīta-buddhi), where pride and attachment override dharma-informed counsel.
Vaiśampāyana enumerates leading Kuru-side champions—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and others—to emphasize the overwhelming martial authority present on that side. The rhetorical question frames the impending conflict as a consequence of misguided royal decision-making rather than necessity.