Shloka 13

कर्णनिधनश्रवणम् — Hearing of Karṇa’s Fall and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Lament

Devanagari script

तथा दुर्योधनसुतस्तरस्वी युद्धदुर्मदः । वर्तमान: पितु: शास्त्रे सौभद्रेण निपातित:,दुर्योधनके रणदुर्मद वेगशाली पुत्र लक्ष्मणको, जो सदा पिताकी आज्ञाके अधीन रहता था, सुभद्राकुमारने मार गिराया

Transliteration

tathā duryodhanasutas tarasvī yuddha-durmadaḥ | vartamānaḥ pituḥ śāstre saubhadreṇa nipātitaḥ ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: Likewise, Duryodhana’s son—impetuous and intoxicated with the arrogance of battle—though ever acting under his father’s command, was struck down by Saubhadra. The verse shows how filial obedience and martial pride, when yoked to an unrighteous cause, culminate in ruin on the battlefield.

Word by Word

तथाthus, likewise

दुर्योधन-सुतःDuryodhana's son (Lakṣmaṇa)

तरस्वीswift, impetuous, vigorous

युद्ध-दुर्मदःmaddened by battle, battle-intoxicated

वर्तमानःabiding, being engaged (in)

पितुःof (his) father

शास्त्रेin the instruction/command (discipline)

सौभद्रेणby the son of Subhadrā (Abhimanyu)

निपातितःwas struck down, felled

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

Duryodhana

Lakṣmaṇa (son of Duryodhana)

Saubhadra (Abhimanyu, son of Subhadrā)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ethical tension between obedience and righteousness: mere loyalty to a father’s command and confidence in martial prowess do not protect one who fights for an adharma-aligned cause; pride and misplaced allegiance lead to downfall.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that Lakṣmaṇa, Duryodhana’s son—known for his speed and battle-fury—while following his father’s orders, is felled in combat by Saubhadra, i.e., Abhimanyu.