Shloka 47
स्त्री-विलापः — गान्धार्याः रणभूमिदर्शनं शापवचनं च
Battlefield Lament and Gāndhārī’s Curse
वैशम्पायन उवाच तच्छुत्वा वचन घोरं वासुदेवो महामना: । उवाच देवीं गान्धारीमीषदशभ्युत्स्मयन्निव,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं-राजन्! वह घोर वचन सुनकर महामनस्वी वसुदेवनन्दन श्रीकृष्णने कुछ मुसकराते हुए-से गान्धारीदेवीसे कहा--
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tac chrutvā vacanaṁ ghoraṁ vāsudevo mahāmanāḥ | uvāca devīṁ gāndhārīm īṣad asabhyutsmayann iva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O King, hearing those dreadful words, the great-souled Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) spoke to Queen Gāndhārī, as if with a slight, restrained smile.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical confrontation: after hearing harsh, grief-driven words, Kṛṣṇa responds with composure. It highlights restraint in speech and demeanor amid tragedy, and prepares the reader for reflection on responsibility and dharma in the wake of catastrophic war.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa hears Gāndhārī’s dreadful statement and then addresses her. His slight, controlled smile signals calm self-possession and a deliberate reply, as the dialogue turns toward the moral consequences of the Kurukṣetra war.