Shloka 25
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 109 — Karṇa–Bhīma Yuddha and Durmukha’s Fall (कर्णभीमयुद्धम्; दुर्मुखवधः)
हताश्चृं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा दुर्मुखो विमनास्तदा । आरुरोह रथं राजन् निरमित्रस्थ भारत
hatāś ca tu rathaṃ tyaktvā durmukho vimanās tadā | ārurōha rathaṃ rājan niramitrastha bhārata ||
Sañjaya dit : Alors Durmukha, l’âme brisée, abandonna son propre char et, accablé en cet instant, monta sur un autre char, ô Roi—comme s’il ne lui restait plus aucun appui ami.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological truth of war: when companions fall and support systems collapse, a warrior may become 'niramitra-stha'—effectively friendless—revealing how fragile confidence and alliances can be amid adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Durmukha, dejected after losses, leaves his own chariot and climbs onto another, indicating retreat from his previous position and a moment of vulnerability and disarray on the battlefield.