Shloka 33
पुत्रस्तु शिशुपालस्य सुकेतु: पृथिवीपति: । निहत्य शात्रवान् संख्ये द्रोणेन निहतो युधि,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! सेनाविन्दु भी युद्धमें शत्रुओंका संहार करके कालके गालमें चला गया। शिशुपालका पुत्र राजा सुकेतु भी युद्धमें शत्रुसैनिकोंका वध करके स्वयं भी द्रोणाचार्यके हाथसे मारा गया
sañjaya uvāca |
putras tu śiśupālasya suketuḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ |
nihatya śātravān saṅkhye droṇena nihato yudhi |
kuruśreṣṭha ||
Sañjaya said: O best of the Kurus, Śiśupāla’s son—King Suketu—after slaying many foes in the press of battle, was himself struck down in combat by Droṇa. Thus, even a valiant ruler who fulfills the warrior’s duty by fighting fiercely meets the impartial end that war brings, where prowess and fate converge and death comes without regard to lineage.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh moral reality of war: even those acting within kṣatriya-duty—fighting bravely and defeating enemies—remain subject to mortality. Valor does not guarantee survival; the battlefield equalizes kings and common warriors alike.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Suketu, the king and son of Śiśupāla, fought fiercely and killed many opponents, but was ultimately slain in battle by Droṇācārya.