Shloka 24
उपासंगानाचरेद् दक्षिणेन वराज़ानां नकुलक्रित्रयोधी । यदा रथाग्रयो रथिन: प्रणेता तदा युद्ध धार्तराष्ट्रोडन्वतप्स्यत्,रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ और विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाले नकुल जब दाहिने हाथमें लिये हुए खड्गसे तुम्हारे सैनिकोंके मस्तक काट-काटकर धरतीपर उनके ढेर लगाने लगेंगे और रथी योद्धाओंको यमलोक भेजना प्रारम्भ करेंगे, उस समय धृतराष्ट्रपुत्र दुर्योधन युद्धका परिणाम सोचकर शोकसे संतप्त हो उठेगा
sañjaya uvāca |
upāsaṅgān ācaret dakṣiṇena varājānāṃ nakulaś citrayodhī |
yadā rathāgryo rathinaḥ praṇetā tadā yuddhe dhārtarāṣṭro dūna-vat tapsyate ||
Sañjaya said: “Nakula, a foremost charioteer and a warrior of striking and unconventional skill, will move in close on the right flank of your kings. When that leader among chariot-fighters begins the battle, then Duryodhana, son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, will burn with grief—forced to reckon with the consequences of war as his men are cut down and sent to Yama’s realm.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral weight and inevitable sorrow that follow from choosing war: martial skill may win moments on the field, but the instigator must face the grief born of violence and its consequences.
Sañjaya foretells Nakula’s tactical advance on the right flank and his effective chariot-combat; as the fighting begins and losses mount, Duryodhana is depicted as inwardly tormented, anticipating the bitter outcome of the conflict he has driven toward.