Shloka 15
खाण्डवप्रस्थप्रवेशः तथा इन्द्रप्रस्थनिर्माणवर्णनम् | Entry into Khāṇḍavaprastha and Description of Indraprastha’s Founding
धृष्टय्युम्न॑ तु संचिन्त्य तथैव च शिखण्डिनम् | द्रुपदस्यात्मजांश्षान्यान् सर्वयुद्धविशारदान्,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
dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ tu saṃcintya tathaiva ca śikhaṇḍinam | drupadasyātmajān anyān sarva-yuddha-viśāradān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Reflecting on Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and likewise on Śikhaṇḍin, and on Drupada’s other sons—each accomplished in every art of war—the Kauravas were seized with fear. Their hopes collapsed into despair as they realized the strength of those now allied with the sons of Kuntī.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and security in the epic are shown to depend not only on birth or claims, but on alliances, competence, and preparedness. The Kauravas’ fear illustrates how adharma-driven schemes can rebound when the opposing side gains capable support.
The narrator describes the Kauravas assessing the military strength of Drupada’s side—especially Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍin, and other skilled sons—and becoming alarmed as their expectations of easy dominance turn into despair.