Shloka 23
भीमसेन–अलायुधयुद्धम् / Bhīmasena and Alāyudha: Night Engagement and Command Responses
काम्बोजं निहतं दृष्टवा तथालम्बुषमेव च । अन्यान् बहुंश्व सुहददो जीवितार्थो5द्य को मम,काम्बोजराज, अलम्बुष तथा अन्यान्य बहुत-से सुहृदोंको मारा गया देखकर भी अब मेरे जीवित रहनेका क्या प्रयोजन है?
Kāmbojaṁ nihataṁ dṛṣṭvā tathālambuṣam eva ca | anyān bahūṁś ca suhṛdo jīvitārtho 'dya ko mama ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Melihat raja Kamboja terbunuh, demikian pula Alambusha, dan banyak sahabat setia lainnya gugur—apa guna hidupku hari ini?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral-psychological burden of leadership in war: when a ruler’s ambition results in the death of loyal allies, grief and self-questioning arise. It implicitly warns that power pursued without dharmic restraint can culminate in emptiness, where even survival feels purposeless.
In the Drona Parva’s battle context, Duryodhana reacts to the deaths of key supporters—especially the Kāmboja leader and Alambuṣa—along with many other friendly allies. Overwhelmed by the losses, he voices despair and asks what reason remains for him to live.