Shloka 11
रुरुचर्मावृततनून् हिया किंचिदवाड्मुखान् । परै: परीतान् संहृष्टे: सुहृद्धिश्चानुशोचितान्
Vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca: rurucarmāvṛta-tanūn hrīyā kiṃcid avāṅmukhān | paraiḥ parītān saṃhṛṣṭaiḥ suhṛdbhiś cānuśocitān ||
Tubuh mereka terbalut kulit rusa, dan karena malu mereka berjalan dengan wajah tertunduk. Musuh-musuh yang bersorak mengurung mereka dari segala sisi, sementara sahabat-sahabat yang setia meratapi nasib mereka.
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical contrast: the defeated feel shame and lowered dignity, while the victors’ joy turns into harshness when it becomes public humiliation. It implicitly critiques triumph that lacks restraint (dama) and compassion (dayā), reminding that dharma is tested most in moments of power over others.
Those who have been forced into a degrading condition are described as wrapped in deerskins and walking with downcast faces. Enemies, delighted, surround them, while their friends grieve—portraying a public spectacle of dishonour within the Sabha Parva’s political conflict.