Shloka 13
भीष्मरक्षण-उद्योगः, शिखण्डि-विवर्जनं, सर्वतोभद्र-व्यूहः
Protection of Bhīṣma, Exemption of Śikhaṇḍin, and the Sarvatobhadra Array
दुर्योधनो5पि सम्प्रेक्ष्य पतितं वरवारणम् । प्रभग्नं च बल॑ दृष्टवा जगाम परमां व्यथाम्,उस श्रेष्ठ गजराजको गिरा हुआ देख सारी कौरवसेना भाग खड़ी हुई। यह सब देखकर दुर्योधनके मनमें बड़ी व्यथा हुई
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhano 'pi samprekṣya patitaṁ varavāraṇam | prabhagnaṁ ca balaṁ dṛṣṭvā jagāma paramāṁ vyathām |
Sanjaya said: Even Duryodhana, seeing that excellent elephant fallen and beholding his forces shattered, was seized by intense anguish.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of morale and the ethical warning that reliance on sheer might and prideful confidence can collapse suddenly; when a key support falls, the leader’s inner weakness—fear and anguish—surfaces, showing how adharma-driven ambition lacks steadiness under crisis.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana sees a foremost elephant lying fallen and notices his forces broken and scattered; witnessing this reversal on the battlefield, Duryodhana is overwhelmed by severe distress.