Shloka 68
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
Devanagari script
एतावदुक्त्वा वचन मुखं प्रच्छाद्य वाससा
Transliteration
etāvad uktvā vacanaṁ mukhaṁ pracchādya vāsasā
Translation
Having said only this much, he covered his face with his garment.
Word by Word
एतावत्this much, so much
एतावत्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootएतावत्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
उक्त्वाhaving said
उक्त्वा:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
Formक्त्वा
वचनम्speech, words
वचनम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootवचन
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
मुखम्face, mouth
मुखम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमुख
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
प्रच्छाद्यhaving covered
प्रच्छाद्य:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootछद्
Formल्यप् (क्त्वा-र्थे अव्यय), प्र
वाससाwith a garment/cloth
वाससा:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootवासस्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
Speaker
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Characters & Entities
व
वाससा (garment/cloth)म
मुखम् (face)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense sorrow and moral pressure can render words insufficient; restraint and silence can become the only truthful response when speech can no longer carry the weight of suffering.
After speaking briefly, the person described (as narrated by Vaiśampāyana) covers his face with a cloth, indicating emotional overwhelm—typically grief, shame, or helplessness—within the unfolding events of the war.