Shloka 34
Gāndhārī’s Battlefield Survey: The Fallen and the Onset of Funeral Rites (शल्य-भगीरथ-भीष्म-द्रोणादि-दर्शनम्)
द्रोणं द्रपदपुत्रेण निहत॑ं मधुसूदन । कृपी कृपणमन्वास्ते दुःखोपहतचेतना,मधुसूदन! द्रुपदपुत्रके द्वारा मारे गये द्रोणाचार्यके पास उनकी पत्नी कृपी बड़े दीनभावसे बैठी है। दुःखसे उसकी चेतना लुप्त-सी हो गयी है
droṇaṁ drapadaputreṇa nihataṁ madhusūdana | kṛpī kṛpaṇam anvāste duḥkhopahatacetanā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Madhusūdana, Droṇa has been slain by Drupada’s son. His wife Kṛpī sits beside him in utter wretchedness, her mind struck down and nearly insensible with grief.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and emotional aftermath of warfare: victory and vengeance culminate in intimate suffering. It invites reflection on dharma beyond the battlefield—compassion for the bereaved and awareness that even ‘justified’ violence leaves enduring human ruin.
Vaiśampāyana reports to Janamejaya (addressing Kṛṣṇa as Madhusūdana in the narration) that Droṇa has been killed by Drupada’s son, Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Droṇa’s wife Kṛpī sits beside his fallen body, overwhelmed by grief and nearly senseless.