Shloka 29
Droṇa’s Rebuke to Duryodhana after Jayadratha’s Fall (द्रोणेन दुर्योधनं प्रति प्रत्युक्तिः)
एको बहून् समासाद्य कच्चिन्नासीतू पराड्मुख: । अत्यन्त सुखमें पला हुआ, इस लोक तथा राजलक्ष्मीका स्वामी अकेला दुर्योधन बहुसंख्यक योद्धाओंके साथ युद्ध करके रणभूमिसे विमुख तो नहीं हुआ? ।। संजय उवाच राजन संग्राममाश्चर्य तव पुत्रस्य भारत
sañjaya uvāca | eko bahūn samāsādya kaccin nāsīt parāṅmukhaḥ | rājān saṅgrāmam āścaryaṃ tava putrasya bhārata ||
Sañjaya dit : «Ô Roi, après avoir rencontré, seul, de nombreux guerriers, ton fils ne s’est-il pas détourné du champ de bataille ? Bien qu’élevé dans un grand confort et possédant en ce monde la souveraineté et la fortune royale, Duryodhana —seul face à la multitude— est-il demeuré inébranlable dans le combat ? Ô Bhārata, la bataille où ton fils fut engagé était véritablement prodigieuse.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: even one who has enjoyed comfort and royal prosperity is expected to face danger without turning away. It also subtly frames valor as a moral test—whether one remains firm or becomes parāṅmukha (retreats) when confronted by overwhelming opposition.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra about Duryodhana’s conduct in the fighting. He wonders aloud whether Duryodhana, alone against many, held his ground or turned away, and he remarks that the battle involving the king’s son was extraordinary.