Shloka 336
Draupadī-apaharaṇa-saṃdeśaḥ
Report of Draupadī’s Abduction and the Pāṇḍavas’ Pursuit
विनिर्जये पाण्डवानाम भवद् भरतर्षभ । जनमेजय! इस प्रकार उस खोटी बुद्धिवाले धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रके मनमें पाण्डवोंपर विजय पानेकी दृढ़ आशा हो गयी
vinirjaye pāṇḍavānāṁ bhavad bharatarṣabha | janamejaya! evaṁ tasya khoṭa-buddher dhṛtarāṣṭra-putrasya manasi pāṇḍaveṣu vijayaṁ prāptuṁ dṛḍhāśā samajāyata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O bull among the Bharatas, O Janamejaya—thus, when the Pāṇḍavas were thought to be defeated, a firm and stubborn hope of gaining victory over them arose in the mind of that wrong‑minded son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a ‘crooked’ or ethically distorted intellect breeds stubborn hope in unjust victory. It implicitly warns that desire for triumph over the righteous, when rooted in adharma, hardens into delusion rather than wisdom.
Vaiśampāyana tells King Janamejaya that, under the impression that the Pāṇḍavas were defeated, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son developed a strong confidence that he would secure victory over them—setting the stage for further hostile intent and action.