Shloka 273
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
राजानो राजपुत्राश्व॒ समरेष्वनिवर्तिन: । ये तथा और भी बहुत-से महाबली राजा और राजकुमार जो युद्धसे पीछे हटनेवाले नहीं थे
rājāno rājaputrāś ca samareṣv anivartinaḥ | ye tathānyepi bahavo mahābalā rājānaḥ rājaputrāś ca kururāja-duryodhanasya vijayārthaṃ priyān prāṇān parityajya svargalokaṃ gatāḥ |
ナーラダは言った。「王たちと王子たち——戦場にあって退かぬ者たち——さらに多くの剛勇なる諸王と王家の子らもまた、戦いから背を向けなかった。俱盧王ドゥルヨーダナの勝利のために、彼らは愛する命を捨て、天界へと旅立ったのである。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of steadfastness in battle and the ideal of sacrificing one’s life for one’s chosen cause and leader. It frames such death—when undertaken with unwavering resolve in the battlefield—as leading to Svarga, reflecting the Mahābhārata’s recurring linkage between kṣatriya-duty, loyalty, and posthumous reward.
Nārada is describing how numerous kings and princes, famed for not retreating in combat, have already given up their lives in the Kurukṣetra war. They fought aiming at Duryodhana’s victory and, having died, are said to have gone to the heavenly realm.