Shloka 14
खाण्डवप्रस्थप्रवेशः तथा इन्द्रप्रस्थनिर्माणवर्णनम् | Entry into Khāṇḍavaprastha and Description of Indraprastha’s Founding
त्रस्ता विगतसंकल्पा दृष्ट्वा पार्थानू महौजस: । मुक्तान् हव्यभुजश्चैव संयुक्तान् टद्रुपदेन च,महातेजस्वी कुन्तीकुमार लाक्षागृहकी आगसे जीवित बचकर राजा ट्रुपदके सम्बन्धी हो गये, यह अपनी आँखों देखकर और धृष्टद्युम्न, शिखण्डी तथा द्रुपदके अन्य पुत्र युद्धकी सम्पूर्ण कलाओंमें दक्ष हैं, इस बातका विचार करके कौरव बहुत डर गये। उनकी आशा निराशामें परिणत हो गयी
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | trastā vigata-saṅkalpā dṛṣṭvā Pārthān mahaujasāḥ | muktān havyabhujāś caiva saṃyuktān Drupadena ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing the mighty Pāṇḍava brothers—who had escaped the consuming fire—and finding them now allied with King Drupada, the Kauravas were struck with fear and lost their resolve. Their confident expectations collapsed into disappointment, for the very men they had sought to destroy had returned with strengthened support and martial readiness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Schemes rooted in adharma—such as attempting to destroy rivals through deceit—breed insecurity and fear. When the intended victims survive and gain righteous alliances, the wrongdoers’ confidence collapses, showing how unethical action undermines inner steadiness (saṅkalpa) and political stability.
After the Pāṇḍavas survive the fire plot (Lakṣāgṛha), they become connected/allied with King Drupada. On seeing this unexpected survival and strengthened support, the Kauravas are frightened and lose their earlier certainty.