Shloka 3
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
ततो दुर्योधन हत्वा भीमसेन: प्रतापवान् । पातितं कौरवेन्द्रं तमुपगम्येदमब्रवीत्,इस प्रकार दुर्योधनका वध करके प्रतापी भीमसेन उस गिराये गये कौरवराजके पास जाकर बोले--
tato duryodhanaṁ hatvā bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān | pātitaṁ kauravendraṁ tam upagamya idam abravīt |
Daraufhin trat der mächtige Bhīmasena, nachdem er Duryodhana erschlagen hatte, an den gefallenen Herrn der Kurus heran und sprach diese Worte.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain at the end of war: even when an enemy is defeated, the victor’s words and conduct become a test of dharma. It frames victory not as pure triumph but as a moment demanding restraint, accountability, and reflection on the cost of vow-driven violence.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma has brought Duryodhana down and now approaches the fallen Kaurava king to address him. The verse functions as a transition into Bhīma’s ensuing speech over Duryodhana’s defeated body.