Mahabharata 9.58.173 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 58, Shloka 173
Duryodhana-patana-anuśocana
The Fall of Duryodhana and the Contest of Restraint
को न्वेष संयुगे प्राज्ञ: पुनर्दन्द्धे समाह्नयेत् । इस दुर्योधनकी सेना मारी गयी थी। यह परास्त हो गया था और अब राज्य पानेसे निराश हो वनमें चला जाना चाहता था; इसीलिये भागकर पोखरेमें छिपा था
ko nveṣa saṁyuge prājñaḥ punar dvan-dve samāhvayet |
Dijo Vāyu: «¿Quién, siendo prudente, llamaría de nuevo en batalla a duelo singular a un enemigo ya aplastado? El ejército de Duryodhana había sido aniquilado; él estaba vencido y, desesperando de recobrar el reino, quería retirarse al bosque. Por eso huyó y se escondió en un estanque. ¿Qué hombre sensato invitaría a un adversario quebrado y sin esperanza a combatir mano a mano en el campo de batalla?»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses prudence and ethical restraint in warfare: a wise person does not seek glory by challenging a foe who is already broken, defeated, and without hope—such a duel would be unnecessary and morally questionable.
Vāyu comments on Duryodhana’s condition after his army’s destruction: defeated and despairing of kingship, he flees and hides in a pond, intending to abandon the struggle; the speaker questions why anyone would now call him out for a formal duel.
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