Shloka 32
Droṇa-pātana-paripṛcchā (Inquiry into the Fall of Droṇa) | द्रोणपातनपरिपृच्छा
पाण्डवैः सह पज्चालैरशिवै: क्रूरकर्मभि: । हतो रुक्मरथो राजन् कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्,राजन्! सुवर्णमय रथवाले द्रोणाचार्य अत्यन्त दुष्कर पराक्रम करके अन्तमें पाण्डवोंसहित अमंगलकारी क्रूरकर्मा पांचालोंके हाथसे मारे गये
pāṇḍavaiḥ saha pañcālair aśivaiḥ krūrakarmabhiḥ | hato rukmaratho rājan kṛtvā karma suduṣkaram ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Rukmaratha, after accomplishing a most difficult feat of arms, was slain by the Pāṇḍavas together with the Pañcālas—men of cruel deeds and ill-omened intent.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the instability of worldly success in war: even after extraordinary valor, one may fall to determined opponents. It also hints at the ethical degradation of battle, where cruelty and ill-omened intent can dominate outcomes, challenging simple notions of merit and reward.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the warrior Rukmaratha, despite performing a formidable martial exploit, is ultimately slain by the combined forces of the Pāṇḍavas and the Pañcālas.