Shloka 39
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
प्रक्षाल्य वारिणा नेत्रे ह्ाचम्पय च यथाविधि । उवाच प्रस्तुतं वाक््यं धृतराष्ट्रमरिंदम:,उन्होंने दो घड़ीतक शोकके आँसू बहाकर शुद्ध जलसे नेत्र धोये और विधिपूर्वक आचमन किया। तत्पश्चात् शत्रुदमन श्रीकृष्णने राजा धृतराष्ट्रसे प्रस्तुत वचन कहा--“भारत! आप वृद्ध पुरुष हैं; अतः कालके द्वारा जो कुछ भी संघटित हुआ और हो रहा है, वह कुछ भी आपसे अज्ञात नहीं है। प्रभो! आपको सब कुछ अच्छी तरह विदित है
prakṣālya vāriṇā netre hy ācāmya ca yathāvidhi | uvāca prastutaṃ vākyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭram ariṃdamaḥ ||
Having washed his eyes with water and then sipped water in the prescribed manner, the foe-subduing one addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra with words suited to the moment. He reminded the aged king that what Time has brought about and continues to bring about is not unknown to him, for he understands all this clearly.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores disciplined self-control and clarity in counsel: even amid grief, one should regain composure through prescribed purification and then speak appropriately. It also points to the ethical realism of Kāla (Time)—an elder ruler is expected to recognize the unfolding of events and accept responsibility with clear understanding rather than denial.
After shedding tears, Kṛṣṇa washes his eyes and performs ācamana as a ritual act of composure and purity. He then begins a timely address to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, framing the situation as something the aged king already knows well—what Time has brought to pass in the aftermath of the war.