Shloka 24
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
सा हि नित्यं महाभागा तपसोग्रेण कर्शिता । पुत्रपौत्रवध श्रुत्वा ध्रुवं न: सम्प्रधक्ष्यति,“महाभागा गान्धारी प्रतिदिन उग्र तपस्यासे अपने शरीरको दुर्बल करती जा रही हैं। वे पुत्रों और पौत्रोंका वध हुआ सुनकर निश्चय ही हमें जला डालेंगी
sā hi nityaṃ mahābhāgā tapasogreṇa karśitā | putrapautravadhaṃ śrutvā dhruvaṃ naḥ sampradhakṣyati ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Cette noble dame (Gāndhārī), consumée jour après jour par de rudes austérités, s’embrasera sûrement contre nous lorsqu’elle apprendra le massacre de ses fils et de ses petits-fils.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power attributed to tapas (austerity): intense self-discipline can generate formidable spiritual force, and when joined with grief and righteous indignation it may become destructive. It cautions that the consequences of violence extend beyond the battlefield, provoking retaliation through moral and spiritual means.
The narrator foresees Gāndhārī’s reaction to the news that her sons and grandsons have been slain. Because she has long practiced severe austerities and is spiritually potent, her grief is expected to erupt as a burning wrath—implying a curse or devastating reproach directed at those responsible.