Shloka 22
Droṇanidhana-anantaraṃ sainya-viṣādaḥ and Karṇa-pravṛttiḥ
After Droṇa’s fall: army despondency and Karṇa’s advance
मत्पुत्रस्य च शेषस्य तथान्येषां च संजय । विप्रद्रुतेष्वनीकेषु मुखवर्णो5भवत् कथम्,संजय! जब सारी सेनाएँ भाग गयीं, तब दुर्योधन, कर्ण, भोजवंशी कृतवर्मा, मद्रराज शल्य, द्रोणकुमार अश्वत्थामा, कृपाचार्य, मरनेसे बचे हुए मेरे पुत्र तथा अन्य लोगोंके मुखकी कान्ति कैसी हो गयी थी?
matputrasya ca śeṣasya tathānyeṣāṃ ca sañjaya | vipradruteṣv anīkeṣu mukhavarṇo 'bhavat katham, sañjaya ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O Sañjaya, when the battle-formations had been thrown into panic and the armies were fleeing in disorder, what became of the facial complexion—what was the look—of my son and of the survivors among my sons, and of the others as well?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner states—fear, shame, resolve, or despair—surface outwardly in crisis. It also reflects Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s attachment and anxiety: instead of asking about dharma or the causes of collapse, he asks about the condition and appearance of “my son” and his side, revealing a mind bound by partiality.
After a severe setback in battle, the Kaurava forces are described as scattered and fleeing. Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the visible condition (mukhavarṇa, the look on the face) of Duryodhana, the surviving sons, and other leaders—seeking to know whether they were terrified, ashamed, or still resolute amid the rout.