Shloka 17
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
ततो द्रोणो<ब्रवीद् भीष्म: कृपो द्रौणिश्न भारत । मत्वा मां महतीं चिन्तामास्थितं व्यथितेन्द्रियम्
tato droṇo ’bravīd bhīṣmaḥ kṛpo drauṇiś ca bhārata | matvā māṃ mahatīṃ cintām āsthitaṃ vyathitendriyam ||
于是德罗那开口，毗湿摩、克利波以及德罗那之子阿湿瓦塔曼亦然，噢，婆罗多。见我陷入深重忧惧、诸根震荡，他们便以安慰之辞对我说道：“噢，焚敌者！纵使敌方之人对我等怀怨结仇，你也不必畏惧。待他们临阵列阵之时，敌军终不能战胜我等。”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a leadership moment: senior warriors attempt to steady a ruler’s shaken mind. Ethically, it shows how counsel can be used to strengthen resolve—here, toward war—by reframing fear as unnecessary and asserting confidence in one’s side.
Duryodhana is troubled and inwardly agitated. Observing his anxiety, Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and Aśvatthāman speak to reassure him, telling him not to fear the enemy faction because they will not be able to defeat the Kauravas in battle.