Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 9
अध्याय ३: कृपस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Duryodhana
सूतपुत्रे हते राजन पुत्रास्ते प्राद्रवंस्तत: । विध्वस्तकवचा: सर्वे कांदिशीका विचेतस:
sūtaputre hate rājan putrās te prādravuṃs tataḥ | vidhvastakavacāḥ sarve kāṃdiśīkā vicetasaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, when Karṇa, the son of the charioteer, had been slain, your sons at once fled from that place. All of them had their armour shattered; bewildered and senseless, they ran about like men who have lost all direction.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment to a single pillar of strength (here, Karṇa) can collapse morale when that support falls. Ethically, it underscores the fragility of confidence rooted only in power and the need for steadiness (dhairya) and discernment (viveka) amid crisis.
After Karṇa is killed, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons and their forces lose composure. With their armour broken and minds confused, they flee in panic, not even knowing which direction to go.
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