Shloka 15
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
एवं नूनं हते वृत्रे शक्रं नन्दन्ति वन्दिन: । तथा त्वां निहतामित्रं वयं नन्दाम भारत,'भारत! निश्चय ही वृत्रासुरके मारे जानेपर वन्दीजनोंने जिस प्रकार इन्द्रका अभिनन्दन किया था, उसी प्रकार हम शत्रुओंका वध करनेवाले आपका अभिनन्दन करते हैं
evaṁ nūnaṁ hate vṛtre śakraṁ nandanti vandinaḥ | tathā tvāṁ nihatāmitraṁ vayaṁ nandāma bhārata ||
Sañjaya said: “Surely, when Vṛtra was slain, the bards rejoiced and acclaimed Śakra (Indra). In the same way, O Bhārata, we rejoice and acclaim you—who have brought down your enemies.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how public acclaim follows perceived victory: just as Indra was celebrated after slaying Vṛtra, a king is praised when enemies are defeated. It implicitly shows the power—and potential bias—of courtly praise in shaping a ruler’s sense of righteousness and success.
Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra and offers congratulatory praise, comparing him (as the patron of the victorious side) to Indra being lauded after Vṛtra’s death, and stating that they too rejoice and acclaim him as a slayer of enemies.