Shloka 34
Irāvān-nidhana-anantaraṃ Ghaṭotkaca-nādaḥ
After Irāvān’s fall: Ghaṭotkaca’s roar and the clash with Duryodhana
तथैव शकुनि: शूर: श्यालस्तव विशाम्पते । आरोपयद् रथं तूर्ण गौतमं रथिनां वरम्,प्रजानाथ! इसी प्रकार आपके साले शूरवीर शकुनिने रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ कृपाचार्यको शीघ्र ही अपने रथपर बैठा लिया
tathaiva śakuniḥ śūraḥ śyālas tava viśāmpate | āropayad rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ gautamaṃ rathināṃ varam, prajānātha |
Sañjaya said: “Just so, your valiant brother-in-law Śakuni, O lord of the people, swiftly helped Gautama—foremost among chariot-warriors—mount his chariot.” The line underscores the deliberate, organized mobilization of the Kaurava side, where kinship ties and strategic coordination are used to place eminent elders and teachers into the machinery of war, raising implicit ethical tension about revered figures being drawn into fratricidal conflict.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how social bonds and political allegiance can rapidly marshal even revered elders into warfare, inviting reflection on dharma: competence and honor in battle do not erase the moral weight of participating in a destructive family conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Śakuni quickly seats/helps Kṛpa (called Gautama), a foremost chariot-warrior, onto his chariot—part of the Kauravas’ organized preparation and positioning of key fighters at the outset of battle.