Shloka 17
एष मूर्थाभिषिक्तानामग्रे गत्वा परंतप: । सतृणं ग्रसते पांसुं पश्य कालस्य पर्ययम्,'“अहो! ये मूर्धाभिषिक्त राजाओंके आगे चलनेवाले शत्रुसंतापी महाराज दुर्योधन तिनकोंसहित धूल फाँक रहे हैं। यह कालका उलट-फेर तो देखो
sañjaya uvāca | eṣa mūrdhābhiṣiktānām agre gatvā paraṃtapaḥ | sa-tṛṇaṃ grasate pāṃsuṃ paśya kālasya paryayam ||
Sañjaya sprach: „Sieh die Umkehr, die die Zeit bewirkt! Dieser Duryodhana — einst der ‚Schrecken der Feinde‘, der vor den gesalbten Königen einherzog — liegt nun da, gezwungen, Staub samt Grashalmen zu schlucken. Sieh die Wendung der Zeit!“
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the sovereignty of Kāla (Time/Fate): worldly power, royal honor, and martial pride are unstable. Even one who once led consecrated kings can be reduced to helplessness, urging humility and ethical reflection amid the intoxication of victory and status.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the pitiable condition of Duryodhana on the battlefield—formerly a foremost leader among kings, now brought low, swallowing dust and grass—highlighting the dramatic reversal of fortune in the Kurukṣetra war.