Shloka 10
युधिष्ठिरस्य कृष्णार्जुनादि-समाश्वासनम्
Yudhiṣṭhira’s reassurance and praise of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna, Bhīma, and Sātyaki
शोच्येयं भारती सेना राज्यं चैव सुयोधन: । यस्य त्वं कर्कशो भ्राता पलायनपरायण:,“यह कौरवी सेना, यह राज्य और इसका राजा दुर्योधन--ये सभी शोचनीय हो गये हैं; क्योंकि तुम राजाके क्रूरकर्मी भाई होकर आज युद्धमें पीठ दिखाकर भाग रहे हो
śocyeyaṁ bhāratī senā rājyaṁ caiva suyodhanaḥ | yasya tvaṁ karkaśo bhrātā palāyanaparāyaṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Pasukan Bhārata ini, kerajaan ini, bahkan Suyodhana sendiri—semuanya patut dikasihani; sebab engkau, saudaranya yang keras dan kejam, kini condong pada pelarian, berpaling dari medan laga.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battlefield flight by a leading Kaurava as an ethical failure that brings disgrace and pity upon the army, the kingdom, and the king. It underscores the Mahābhārata’s recurring standard for kṣatriyas: leadership entails steadfastness in crisis, and abandoning one’s post corrodes collective morale and legitimacy.
Sañjaya reports a moment of censure: he declares the Kuru host, their sovereignty, and Duryodhana ‘pitiable’ because Duryodhana’s brother—described as harsh—has become intent on fleeing the fight. The line functions as a pointed rebuke, highlighting panic or retreat within the Kaurava ranks during the Drona Parva battles.