Shloka 31
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
यह कहकर प्रतापी रोहिणीनन्दन बलरामजी, जो श्वेत बादलोंके अग्रभागकी भाँति गौर-कान्तिसे सुशोभित हो रहे थे, रथपर आरूढ़ हो द्वारकाकी ओर चल दिये ।। पज्चालाशक्ष सवारष्णेया: पाण्डवाश्न विशाम्पते । रामे द्वारावतीं याते नातिप्रमनसो5भवन्,प्रजानाथ! बलरामजीके इस प्रकार द्वारका चले जानेपर पांचाल, वृष्णिवंशी तथा पाण्डववीर उदास हो गये। उनके मनमें अधिक उत्साह नहीं रह गया
sañjaya uvāca |
ity uktvā pratāpī rohiṇīnandano balarāmaḥ śvetameghāgrabhāga iva gaura-kāntyā suśobhamānaḥ ratham āruhya dvārakāṃ prati jagāma ||
pañcālāś ca vṛṣṇayaḥ pāṇḍavāś ca viśāṃ pate |
rāme dvāravatīṃ yāte nātipramanaso 'bhavan prajānātha ||
Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, the valiant Balarāma, the delight of Rohiṇī—radiant with a fair splendor like the forefront of white clouds—mounted his chariot and set out toward Dvārakā. When Rāma departed for Dvāravatī, the Pañcālas, the Vṛṣṇis, and the Pāṇḍava heroes became downcast, O lord of the people; their hearts no longer held much enthusiasm. The moment underscores how the withdrawal of a powerful, respected elder from a conflict can drain morale and alter the ethical atmosphere of a war, even without a weapon being raised.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of dharma-yuddha: the presence or withdrawal of a revered, powerful elder (Balarāma) affects collective resolve. Leadership is not only strategic but also moral-symbolic; when such a figure steps away, allies may lose heart, revealing how righteousness and morale are intertwined.
After speaking, Balarāma—described as radiant—mounts his chariot and departs for Dvārakā. In response, the Pañcālas, Vṛṣṇis, and Pāṇḍavas become dispirited, their enthusiasm diminished, as Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.