Shloka 20
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
त्वं तस्य नृपशार्दूल प्रतियोद्धा महाहवे । स्वबलेनोच्छितो राजज्जहि राक्षसपुज्रवम्
tvam tasya nṛpaśārdūla pratiyoddhā mahāhave | svabalenocchito rājan jahi rākṣasapuṅgavam, kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
三阇耶说道：“诸王之虎啊，在这场大决战中，唯有你才是足以与他对阵的战士。大王啊，凭你自身之力登临显赫，斩杀那罗刹之魁——迦托迦遮！”那难以攻破的杜罗约陀那便如此说道；他一再长叹，反复诉说罗刹的胜利与自己的羞辱，催请毗湿摩出战诛杀迦托迦遮，以挽回俱卢一方的形势。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war leadership: a ruler’s pride and fear can drive urgent, even desperate, demands for decisive violence. It also underscores the Kṣatriya ideal of meeting a formidable foe with an equally capable champion, framing responsibility as personal strength and duty rather than excuses.
After suffering a setback at the hands of the Rākṣasa-hero Ghaṭotkaca, Duryodhana—distressed and repeatedly sighing—approaches Bhīṣma and urges him that only he can counter Ghaṭotkaca in the great war, asking him to kill the ‘foremost of Rākṣasas’ to protect the Kaurava side.