Shloka 12
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
दुःशासनो दुर्विषहो दुर्मुखो दुर्जयस्तथा । बद्ध्वा हियन्ते गन्धर्व राजदाराश्न सर्वश:,सैनिक बोले--कुन्तीकुमारो! हमारे प्रियदर्शी महाबाहु महाबली धूृतराष्ट्रकुमार राजा दुर्योधनको गन्धर्व (बाँधकर) लिये जाते हैं। आपलोग उनकी रक्षाके लिये दौड़िये। वे दुःशासन, दुर्विषह, दुर्मुख, दुर्जय तथा कुरुकुलकी सब स्त्रियोंको भी कैद करके लिये जा रहे हैं
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
duḥśāsano durviṣaho durmukho durjayas tathā |
baddhvā hīyante gandharva-rāja-dārāś ca sarvaśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Duḥśāsana, Durviṣaha, Durmukha, and Durjaya as well are being seized and carried off in bonds; and along with them, all the women of the Kuru royal household are being taken away by the Gandharvas.” The report underscores a sudden reversal of power: those who had relied on force and pride are now helpless, and the crisis tests whether the opposing side will act from kṣatriya duty and compassion rather than vengeance.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid enmity, dharma can require protecting the vulnerable and upholding kṣatriya responsibility. The capture of the Kuru household becomes a moral test: whether one responds with righteous conduct rather than vindictive satisfaction.
A message reports that Gandharvas have bound and are carrying off several Kaurava princes—Duḥśāsana, Durviṣaha, Durmukha, Durjaya—and also the women of the Kuru royal household, indicating a grave crisis and public humiliation for the Kauravas.