Shloka 48
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
ज्ञात: पापो धार्॑राष्ट्रो दृष्टश्वेत्यसकृद्रणे । प्राक्रोशन् सोमकास्तत्र हृष्टरूपा: समन््ततः
jñātaḥ pāpo dhārtarāṣṭro dṛṣṭaś cety asakṛd raṇe | prākrośan somakās tatra hṛṣṭarūpāḥ samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In the midst of battle, the Somakas cried out again and again on every side, exultant: “The sinful son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra has been identified—indeed, he has been sighted!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, actions acquire moral labels and public consequences: a combatant deemed ‘pāpa’ becomes a target not only strategically but ethically, and his exposure is treated as a vindication of the opposing side’s sense of righteousness.
On the battlefield, the Somaka warriors recognize and spot a particular Kaurava prince (a son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra). Rejoicing, they repeatedly shout the news in all directions, signaling both discovery and imminent pursuit.