Note 23 — IX VIÇĀKHADATTA AND BHAṬṬA NĀRĀYAṆA
Reading edition
‘O firm-limbed one, make slow thy steps; stay thy trembling gait; thou dost fall into the shelter of my arms; clasp me closely in thine embrace.’ But any display of tenderness is abnormal in Duryodhana; he rebukes his aged mother when she urges him to save his life by coming to terms with the enemy:23