Shloka 20
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Duryodhana Dialogue on Peace and the Refusal of Compromise
रुरूणामिव यूथेषु व्याप्रा: प्रहरतां वरा: । वरान् वरान् हनिष्यन्ति समेता युधि पाण्डवा:,प्रहार करनेवालोंमें श्रेष्ठ व्याप्र जैसे रुक नामक मृगोंके झुंडोंमें घुसकर बड़ों-बड़ोंको मार डालते हैं, उसी प्रकार योद्धाओंमें अग्रगण्य पाण्डव युद्धमें एकत्र होकर कौरवोंके प्रधान- प्रधान वीरोंका वध कर डालेंगे
rurūṇām iva yūtheṣu vyāghrāḥ praharatāṃ varāḥ | varān varān haniṣyanti sametā yudhi pāṇḍavāḥ ||
难敌说道：“如猛虎——诸击者之最——扑入鹿群，先倒下其中最强者；般度五子亦将如此，战场上合而为一，必斩我军最精锐、最重要的勇士。”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the destructive momentum of war: when powerful, united fighters enter battle, the ‘best’ on the opposing side become primary targets. Ethically, it underscores how conflict escalates toward the elimination of leaders and exemplars, revealing the grave consequences of choosing war over reconciliation.
Duryodhana, anticipating the coming battle, voices a grim prediction: the Pāṇḍavas, acting together, will cut down the foremost Kaurava champions. He frames this through a predator–prey simile—tigers entering a herd—emphasizing both the Pāṇḍavas’ martial prowess and the vulnerability of even elite warriors in war.