Shloka 7
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
तस्मिन् गृहीते राजेन्द्र स्थितं दुःशासन रथे | पर्यगृह्नन्त गन्धर्वा: परिवार्य समन््तत:,राजेन्द्र! दुर्योधनके कैद हो जानेपर गन्धर्वोंने रथपर बैठे हुए दुःशासनको भी सब ओरसे घेरकर पकड़ लिया
tasmin gṛhīte rājendra sthitaṃ duḥśāsana-rathe | paryagṛhṇanta gandharvāḥ parivārya samantataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O king, when Duryodhana had been seized, the Gandharvas, having surrounded him on every side, also closed in upon Duḥśāsana as he remained seated in the chariot and took him captive.” The episode underscores how arrogance and unrighteous aggression can lead to sudden reversal, where power and retinue fail to protect those who persist in adharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of worldly power: when one acts in adharma and pride, protection by status or allies can collapse instantly, and consequences arrive from unexpected quarters.
After Duryodhana is taken captive, the Gandharvas surround the chariot and also seize Duḥśāsana, who is still seated there, indicating a decisive defeat and capture of the Kaurava party in this encounter.