Shloka 2
निपातितस्यन्दनवाजिनागं बलं॑ च दृष्टवा हतसूतपुत्रम् । दुर्योधनो श्रुप्रतिपूर्णनेत्रो दीनो मुहुर्नि:श्वसंश्चार्तरूप:
sañjaya uvāca |
nipātita-syandana-vāji-nāgaṃ balaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā hata-sūta-putram |
duryodhano aśru-pratipūrṇa-netro dīno muhur niḥśvasaṃś cārta-rūpaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the Kaurava host with its chariots, horses, and elephants struck down, and seeing the charioteer’s son slain, Duryodhana’s eyes filled with tears. Again and again he heaved deep sighs, becoming despondent and taking on the appearance of one overwhelmed by grief.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the inevitable emotional and moral reckoning that follows destructive warfare: when one’s power (bala) collapses and key allies fall, pride gives way to grief. It implicitly points to the fragility of worldly strength and the heavy cost of pursuing victory through adharma.
Sañjaya reports Duryodhana’s reaction after seeing the Kaurava forces devastated—chariots, horses, and elephants brought down—and after the death of Karṇa (referred to as the charioteer’s son). Duryodhana becomes tearful, repeatedly sighing, and appears deeply distressed.