Shloka 15
Droṇa–Arjuna Yuddha; Trigarta-Āvaraṇa; Bhīmasena Gajānīka-bheda
Droṇa and Arjuna Engage; Trigarta Containment; Bhīma Breaks the Elephant Corps
रौद्रे तस्मिन् राक्षसेन्द्रे यदि तेडनुशयो महान् । अयं वा गच्छतु रणे तस्य युद्धाय दुर्मते:,कथयामास दुर्धर्षो विनि:श्वस्य पुनः पुनः । संजय कहते हैं--महाराज! शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाला राजा दुर्योधन उस महान् युद्धमें एक राक्षसके द्वारा प्राप्त हुई अपनी पराजयको नहीं सह सका। उसने गंगानन्दन भीष्मजीके पास जाकर उन्हें विनीतभावसे प्रणाम करनेके पश्चात् सारा वृत्तान्त यथावत् रूपसे कह सुनाया। उस दुर्धर्ष वीरने बारंबार लम्बी साँस खींचकर घटोत्कचकी विजय और अपनी पराजयकी कथा कही
sañjaya uvāca | raudre tasmin rākṣasendre yadi te 'nuśayo mahān | ayaṃ vā gacchatu raṇe tasya yuddhāya durmateḥ | kathayāmāsa durdharṣo viniḥśvasya punaḥ punaḥ |
Sanjaya said: “If, in that dreadful encounter with the lord of the rākṣasas, you still feel deep regret, then let this man go into battle to fight that evil-minded foe.” Having spoken thus, the hard-to-assail warrior repeatedly heaved long sighs, recounting again and again the tale of Ghaṭotkaca’s victory and his own humiliation—revealing how wounded pride and resentment can cloud judgment amid the demands of dharma in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how intense regret and wounded pride after defeat can drive impulsive, retaliatory decisions in war; ethical leadership requires steadiness, clear counsel, and restraint even amid humiliation.
After being overcome in a fierce encounter involving a powerful rākṣasa (contextually linked with Ghaṭotkaca), Duryodhana cannot bear the setback; he approaches Bhīṣma, bows respectfully, and recounts the events with repeated sighs, emphasizing Ghaṭotkaca’s triumph and his own defeat.