Shloka 25
Adhyāya 17 — Gandhārī’s Vilāpa at Duryodhana’s Body (स्त्रीपर्व, अध्याय १७)
प्रकीर्णकेशां सुश्रोणी दुर्योधनशुभाड्कगाम् । रुक्मवेदीनिभां पश्य कृष्ण लक्ष्मणमातरम्,श्रीकृष्ण! सुवर्णकी वेदीके समान तेजस्विनी तथा सुन्दर कटि-प्रदेशवाली उस लक्ष्मणकी माताको तो देखो, जो दुर्योधनके शुभ-अंकमें स्थित हो केश खोले रो रही है
prākīrṇakeśāṃ suśroṇīṃ duryodhanaśubhāṅkagām | rukmavedīnibhāṃ paśya kṛṣṇa lakṣmaṇamātaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Kṛṣṇa, behold Lakṣmaṇā’s mother—her hair dishevelled, her fair hips now bowed by grief—sitting upon Duryodhana’s auspicious lap. She shines like a golden altar, yet in this moment she weeps, undone by the calamity that has followed the war.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse heightens the ethical tragedy of war: even those described with splendor and auspicious imagery are reduced to dishevelled mourning. It underscores how adharma-driven conflict collapses social order and dignity, leaving grief that mocks notions of ‘auspiciousness’ and worldly glory.
Vaiśampāyana points out to Kṛṣṇa a grieving woman identified as Lakṣmaṇā’s mother. With loosened hair—a conventional sign of lament—she is shown seated on Duryodhana’s lap, shining like a golden altar yet crying, illustrating the sorrowful aftermath depicted in Strī-parvan.