Shloka 34
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
तथैव शकुनि: शूर: श्यालस्तव विशाम्पते । आरोपयद् रथं तूर्ण गौतमं रथिनां वरम्,प्रजानाथ! इसी प्रकार आपके साले शूरवीर शकुनिने रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कृपाचार्यको शीघ्र ही अपने रथपर बैठा लिया
tathaiva śakuniḥ śūraḥ śyālas tava viśāmpate | āropayad rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ gautamaṃ rathināṃ varam, prajānātha |
Demikian pula Śakuni, iparmu yang gagah berani, wahai penguasa rakyat, dengan segera menaikkan Gautama—yang terdepan di antara para kesatria kereta—ke atas keretanya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how social bonds and political allegiance can rapidly marshal even revered elders into warfare, inviting reflection on dharma: competence and honor in battle do not erase the moral weight of participating in a destructive family conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Śakuni quickly seats/helps Kṛpa (called Gautama), a foremost chariot-warrior, onto his chariot—part of the Kauravas’ organized preparation and positioning of key fighters at the outset of battle.