Shloka 2
Adhyāya 17 — Gandhārī’s Vilāpa at Duryodhana’s Body (स्त्रीपर्व, अध्याय १७)
सातु लब्ध्वा पुनः संज्ञां विक्रुश्य च विलप्य च दुर्योधनमभिप्रेक्ष्य शयानं रुधिरोक्षितम्,पुनः होशमें आनेपर अपने पुत्रको पुकार-पुकारकर वे विलाप करने लगीं। दुर्योधनको खूनसे लथपथ होकर सोया देख उसे हृदयसे लगाकर गान्धारी दीन होकर रोने लगीं। उनकी सारी इन्द्रियाँ व्याकुल हो उठी थीं। वे शोकसे आतुर हो 'हा पुत्र! हा पुत्र!! कहकर विलाप करने लगीं
sā tu labdhvā punaḥ saṃjñāṃ vikruśya ca vilapya ca duryodhanam abhiprekṣya śayānaṃ rudhirokṣitam
Having regained consciousness, she cried out and lamented again and again. Looking upon Duryodhana lying there, drenched in blood, Gāndhārī—overcome with grief—clung to him in her heart and wept, her senses thrown into turmoil, wailing, “Alas, my son! Alas, my son!”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the human cost of adharma and war: even royal power ends in vulnerability, and the consequences of choices culminate in irreversible grief. It underscores compassion and the ethical weight of conflict, where victory and defeat alike are shadowed by suffering.
Gāndhārī regains consciousness, then repeatedly cries and laments as she beholds her son Duryodhana lying blood-soaked. Overwhelmed, she mourns intensely, calling out to him as her senses reel from sorrow.