Shloka 11
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य यमयोवीरिस्थ च शिखण्डिन: । पश्यतां द्रौपदेयानां पज्चालानां च सर्वश:,उसने सात्यकि, धृष्टद्युम्न, नकुल, सहदेव, वीर शिखण्डी, द्रौपदीपुत्र तथा पांचालोंके देखते-देखते मेरी ध्वजा काट डाली, पार्श्वरक्षकोंको मार डाला और मेरे घोड़ोंका भी संहार कर डाला था
dhṛṣṭadyumnasya yamo vīriṣṭha ca śikhaṇḍinaḥ | paśyatāṃ draupadeyānāṃ pāñcālānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ ||
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «El poderoso Śikhaṇḍin—como la Muerte misma—junto con Dhṛṣṭadyumna, a la vista de los hijos de Draupadī y de todos los Pāñcālas, abatió mi estandarte, dio muerte a mis guardias de flanco y destruyó mis caballos. En esta guerra, hasta los emblemas visibles del honor real y de la protección se hacen añicos ante los propios aliados, recordándonos cuán pronto gira la fortuna y cuán implacables se vuelven las consecuencias de la batalla.»
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, outward signs of power—banner, guards, horses—can be destroyed in an instant, exposing the fragility of status and the harsh momentum of violence. Ethically, it underscores the gravity of kṣatriya conflict: once battle is joined, consequences unfold relentlessly, testing leadership, resolve, and adherence to duty amid humiliation.
Yudhiṣṭhira recounts a battlefield setback: Dhṛṣṭadyumna and the fierce Śikhaṇḍin, before the eyes of the Draupadeyas and the Pāñcāla forces, strike his chariot’s symbols and supports—cutting his banner, killing his flank-guards, and destroying his horses—thereby publicly diminishing his position in the fight.