Shloka 16
Adhyāya 17 — Gandhārī’s Vilāpa at Duryodhana’s Body (स्त्रीपर्व, अध्याय १७)
एष शेते महाबाहुर्बलवान् सत्यविक्रम: । सिंहेनेव द्विप: संख्ये भीमसेनेन पातित:,“यह महाबाहु सत्यपराक्रमी बलवान् वीर दुर्योधन भीमसेनके द्वारा गिराया जाकर युद्धस्थलमें सिंहके मारे हुए गजराजके समान सो रहा है
eṣa śete mahābāhur balavān satyavikramaḥ | siṃheneva dvipaḥ saṅkhye bhīmasenena pātitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Hier liegt der Großarmige, der Starke, von wahrer Tapferkeit: Duryodhana, von Bhīmasena zu Boden gestreckt. Auf dem Schlachtfeld ruht er nun wie ein mächtiger Elefant, den ein Löwe gefällt hat.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the inevitability of consequence in war: even the strongest warrior can be brought down when opposing force and destiny converge. The lion–elephant simile highlights the fragility of worldly power and the tragic end that follows adharma-driven conflict.
Vaiśampāyana describes Duryodhana lying on the battlefield after being struck down by Bhīmasena. The scene is framed through a vivid comparison: Duryodhana is like a great elephant felled by a lion, emphasizing both his former might and his present defeat.