Section V - Duryodhana and Karna choose a new leader for the army
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section V including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
Duryodhana, filled with joy, declares Karna as a proper leader for their army after Bhishma's impending departure. Karna, acknowledging the need for a leader, defers to Duryodhana's wisdom in choosing one. Duryodhana, recognizing the importance of a capable leader, seeks Karna's opinion on who should succeed Bhishma. Karna, acknowledging the merits of all the warriors, recommends Drona as the most suitable leader due to his prowess, intelligence, and status as their preceptor.
Karna emphasizes the need for a singular leader to prevent dissension among the warriors. He praises Drona for his unparalleled skills in warfare and his ability to command the respect and loyalty of all the kings in their army. Karna's recommendation of Drona is based on his belief that Drona is the most qualified and capable leader due to his vast knowledge and experience in battle. He highlights Drona's status as their preceptor as an additional reason for his selection as the leader of their forces.
Duryodhana, understanding the importance of unity and obedience within their army, accepts Karna's suggestion and decides to appoint Drona as their new leader. With Drona's leadership, the army is expected to be cohesive and efficient in battle, as he commands the respect and loyalty of all the warriors. The decision to make Drona the leader is seen as a strategic move to ensure the success of their forces in the ongoing conflict. The stage is set for Drona to take on the role of commander and lead their army to victory.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section V - Duryodhana and Karna choose a new leader for the army, have a look at the following articles:
Section V, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
Read this and other chapters online.
Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
Buy the latest edition:
FAQ of Mahabharata, Section V:
Who did Duryodhana suggest as a suitable leader after Bhishma?
Duryodhana suggested Drona, citing his prowess, wisdom, and leadership qualities as reasons for his recommendation.
Why did Karna support Drona as the next commander for the army?
Karna believed Drona's unparalleled skills in warfare and leadership made him the most suitable candidate to lead the army after Bhishma.
Daily life: Duryodhana and Karna choose a new leader for the army:
The story highlights the significance of selecting the right leader in any group or team, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, experience, and respect among members. In everyday life, when faced with a group task or project, it's crucial to choose a leader who not only possesses the necessary skills and knowledge but also commands respect from the team. This leader should be someone who can unite the group, driving them towards a common goal without causing discontent or rivalry among members.
Furthermore, the story underlines the idea that the most suitable person for leadership is often one who has already earned the group's respect through their actions, expertise, and character, rather than through ambition or assertiveness alone. In practice, this means prioritizing qualities like experience, wisdom, and the ability to inspire and guide others when looking for a leader in any setting, be it work, school, or community activities. This careful consideration ensures that the group is more likely to succeed and remain cohesive under the chosen leader's guidance.