Shloka 22
Abhimanyunidhana-prakāśaḥ — Vasudeva–Kṛṣṇa–Subhadrā–Kuntī śoka-saṃvāda
Disclosure and Consolation
हते कर्णे तु कौरव्या निरुत्साहा हतौजस: । अक्षौहिणीभिस्तिसूभिमरद्रेशं पर्यवारयन्
hate karṇe tu kauravyā nirutsāhā hataujasaḥ | akṣauhiṇībhis tisṛbhir madrādheśaṃ paryavārayan |
Vāsudeva dit : Lorsque Karṇa eut été tué, les Kaurava perdirent leur ardeur et leur force. Alors, ayant nommé Śalya, roi de Madra, comme chef d’armée, ils l’entourèrent et le protégèrent de trois akṣauhiṇīs, puis reprirent le combat.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical reality of war: the fall of a key warrior can collapse collective morale, yet armies often continue out of perceived duty and loyalty under new command—raising questions about steadfastness, responsibility, and the costs of ambition.
After Karṇa’s death, the Kaurava forces become dispirited and weakened. They then install Śalya, the king of Madra, as commander and protect him with three akṣauhiṇī formations, thereby continuing the fighting.