Shloka 25
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
नापश्यत् समरे कंचित् सहायं रथिनां वर: । नर्दमानान् परान् दृष्टवा स्वबलस्य च संक्षयम्
sañjaya uvāca |
nāpaśyat samare kañcit sahāyaṁ rathināṁ varaḥ |
nardamānān parān dṛṣṭvā svabalasya ca saṁkṣayam, mahārāja |
Sañjaya said: O King, Duryodhana, foremost among chariot-warriors, saw no ally of his anywhere on the battlefield. Seeing the enemy host roaring and beholding his own forces wasting away, he—alone—abandoned his slain horses there and, seized by fear, fled toward the eastern quarter.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of power when it is not supported by steadfast allies, morale, and righteous purpose: when one’s forces collapse, fear can overtake even a celebrated warrior, revealing the ethical cost of a war pursued through adharma and pride.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, finding no supporting comrades on the battlefield and seeing the enemy roaring while his own army is being destroyed, becomes afraid and flees toward the east, leaving behind his fallen horses.