Shloka 1
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
/ भीकम (2 अमान एकपज्चाशर्दाधकशततमो< ध्याय: द्रोणाचार्यका दुर्योधनको उत्तर और युद्धके लिये प्रस्थान धृतराष्ट उवाच सिन्धुराजे हते तात समरे सव्यसाचिना । तथैव भूरिश्रवसि किमासीद् वो मनस्तदा
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
sindhurāje hate tāta samare savyasācinā |
tathaiva bhūriśravasi kim āsīd vo manas tadā ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “My son, when the king of Sindhu, Jayadratha, was slain in battle by Savyasācī Arjuna, and likewise when Bhūriśravas fell, what was the state of your mind at that time?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and emotional reckoning that follows decisive acts in war: the fall of major warriors forces reflection on dharma, consequence, and the inner state (manas) of those who witness or report the events.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya to describe the reactions and mental state surrounding two pivotal battlefield events: Arjuna’s slaying of Jayadratha (king of Sindhu) and the downfall of Bhūriśravas, seeking insight into how the war’s turning points affected the combatants and observers.