Shloka 77
अध्याय ९ — कर्णस्य प्रहारः, योधयुग्मनियोजनम्, शैनेय-कैकेययोर्युद्धविन्यासः
प्रधने हतभूयिष्ठै: किंस्विद् दुर्योधनो<ब्रवीत् । हितैषी सुहृदोंके मना करनेपर भी पाण्डवोंके साथ स्वयं बड़ा भारी वैर ठानकर दुर्योधनने, जब संग्राममें उसके अधिकांश सैनिक मार डाले गये, तब क्या कहा? ।। भ्रातरं निहतं दृष्टवा भीमसेनेन संयुगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pradhane hatabhūyiṣṭhaiḥ kiṃ svid duryodhano 'bravīt | hitaiṣī suhṛdāṃ ke mānaḥ karṇe 'pi pāṇḍavaiḥ saha svayaṃ mahā-vairaṃ ṭhānakṛtvā duryodhanena, yadā saṅgrāme tasya bahavo yodhā hatāḥ, tadā kiṃ uktam | bhrātaraṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena saṃyuge |
Vaiśampāyana said: When most of his warriors had been slain in the battle, what did Duryodhana say? Though Karṇa was a friend and well-wisher, Duryodhana—having himself resolved upon a great enmity with the Pāṇḍavas—what words did he speak then, after seeing his brother killed by Bhīmasena in combat?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames how steadfast enmity and pride can persist even amid catastrophic loss: Duryodhana’s chosen hostility toward the Pāṇḍavas is highlighted as a deliberate resolve, setting an ethical contrast between well-wishing counsel (hitaiṣī) and self-chosen vengeful commitment.
Vaiśampāyana poses a transition question: after Duryodhana’s forces have largely been destroyed and after he witnesses his brother slain by Bhīma in battle, the narration turns to what Duryodhana says next—preparing the listener for his response and ensuing events.