Shloka 25
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
दुर्योधन! राजा जयद्रथ विशेषतः मुझपर और तुमपर ही अर्जुनसे अपनी जीवन- रक्षाका भरोसा किये बैठा था ।। ततस्तस्मिन् परित्राणमलब्धवति फाल्गुनात् न किंचिदनुपश्यामि जीवितस्थानमात्मन:,तो भी जब अर्जुनसे उसकी रक्षा न की जा सकी, तब मुझे अब अपने जीवनकी रक्षाके लिये भी कोई स्थान दिखायी नहीं देता
sañjaya uvāca | duryodhana rājā jayadrathaḥ viśeṣataḥ mayi ca tvayi caiva phālgunāt svajīvita-paritrāṇasya bharosaṃ kṛtvā niścitāsīt | tataḥ tasmin phālgunāt paritrāṇam alabdhavati ahaṃ na kiñcid anupaśyāmi ātmanaḥ jīvita-sthānam |
Sanjaya berkata: “Duryodhana, Raja Jayadratha menaruh kepercayaan untuk perlindungan nyawanya—terutama padaku dan padamu—melawan Arjuna. Namun ketika perlindungan baginya tidak dapat diperoleh dari Phalguna (Arjuna), kini aku pun tak melihat tempat berlindung sedikit pun bagi kelangsungan hidupku sendiri.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the collapse of false security built on power and alliances: when a key protection fails in war, even the confident lose all senses of refuge. Ethically, it underscores how adharma-driven strategies breed fear and instability, leaving no dependable shelter when consequences arrive.
Sanjaya addresses Duryodhana after Jayadratha’s protection has failed against Arjuna. He recalls that Jayadratha relied particularly on Duryodhana (and allies) for his life, but since Arjuna could not be prevented from reaching him, Sanjaya foresees no safe refuge even for himself.