Shloka 73
द्वैपायनह्रदे दुर्योधनान्वेषणम् / The Search for Duryodhana at Dvaipāyana Lake
राजदारानुपादाय प्रययुर्नगरं प्रति । इससे दुर्योधनके मन्त्रियोंका गला भर आया और वे अत्यन्त व्याकुल हो राजमहिलाओंको साथ ले नगरकी और चल दिये || ७० $ ।। वेत्रव्यासक्तहस्ताक्ष द्वाराध्यक्षा विशाम्पते,आस्थायाश्वतरीयुक्तान् स्यन्दनानपरे पुन: । स्वान् स्वान् दारानुपादाय प्रययुर्नगरं प्रति अन्य बहुत-से राजकीय पुरुष खच्चरियोंसे जुते हुए रथोंपर आरूढ़ हो अपनी-अपनी रक्षामें स्थित स्त्रियोंको लेकर नगरकी ओर यात्रा करने लगे
rājadārān upādāya prayayur nagaraṃ prati | vetra-vyāsakta-hastāś ca dvārādhyakṣā viśāṃ pate āsthāyāśvatara-yuktān syandanān apare punaḥ | svān svān dārān upādāya prayayur nagaraṃ prati ||
Sañjaya said: Taking the royal women with them, they set out toward the city. And, O lord of the people, the gate-wardens too—staffs in hand—while others again mounted chariots yoked with mules; each, taking his own women under protection, departed for the city. The scene conveys the anxious withdrawal of the courtly household from danger, where duty becomes the safeguarding of dependents amid the chaos of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war’s disorder, a primary dharmic obligation becomes rakṣaṇa—protecting those under one’s care (womenfolk, dependents, the vulnerable). The verse highlights responsible withdrawal and guardianship rather than reckless display.
Sañjaya describes court officials and gate-wardens leaving toward the city, taking the royal women with them. Some depart on chariots yoked with mules, each escorting his own household women, indicating urgent movement and heightened fear around the royal quarters.