Shloka 12
हतप्रवीरैर्भूयिष्ठैर्धजैर्बहुपताकिभि: । वृत:ः शारद्वतोड5गच्छत् कष्ट कष्टमिति ब्रुवन्,शरद्वानके पुत्र कृपाचार्य बहुसंख्यक ध्वजा-पताकाओंसे सुशोभित बहुत-से सैनिकोंद्वारा घिरे हुए थे। उनकी सेनाके प्रमुख वीर मारे गये थे। वे भी “हाय! बड़े कष्टकी बात है, बड़े कष्टकी बात है' ऐसा कहते हुए युद्धभूमिसे खिसक गये
sañjaya uvāca | hatapravīrair bhūyiṣṭhair dhajair bahupatākibhiḥ | vṛtaḥ śāradvato ’gacchat kaṣṭa kaṣṭam iti bruvan |
Sañjaya said: Surrounded by many standards and by troops bearing numerous banners—though the foremost heroes of his force had been slain—Śāradvata (Kṛpa) withdrew from the battlefield, repeatedly lamenting, “Alas, what a grievous calamity! Alas, what a grievous calamity!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological and ethical burden of warfare: outward symbols of power (flags, banners, formations) cannot erase the inner shock and sorrow that follow the loss of leading warriors. Even an elder teacher like Kṛpa, famed for steadiness, is driven to lament and withdraw—showing that war’s consequences are not merely strategic but deeply human.
Sañjaya reports that Śāradvata Kṛpa, though still surrounded by many bannered troops, has seen the chief heroes of his side fall. Overcome with distress, he retreats from the battlefield while repeatedly exclaiming “kaṣṭa, kaṣṭa”—“how terrible!”