Mahabharata 7.49.123 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 49, Shloka 123
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 49: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament and Strategic Foreboding after Abhimanyu’s Fall
उत्तिष्ठमानं सौभद्रं गदया मूर्थ््यताडयत् । तत्पश्चात् कुरुकुलकी कीर्ति बढ़ानेवाले दुःशासनपुत्रने पहले उठकर उठते हुए सुभद्राकुमारके मस्तकपर गदाका प्रहार किया
uttiṣṭhamānaṃ saubhadraṃ gadayā mūrdhni atāḍayat | tatpaścāt kurukulakīrtiṃ vardhayituṃ duḥśāsanaputro 'gra uttiṣṭhantam eva subhadrākumārasya mūrdhni gadā-prahāram akarot ||
ಆರ್ಯ! ಎದ್ದೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಸೌಭದ್ರ ಅಭಿಮನ್ಯುವಿನ ತಲೆಯ ಮೇಲೆ ಗದೆಯಿಂದ ಹೊಡೆತ ಬಿದ್ದಿತು. ಅನಂತರ ಕುರುಕುಲದ ಕೀರ್ತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಆಶಯದಿಂದ ದುಃಶಾಸನಪುತ್ರನು ಮೊದಲು ತಾನೇ ಎದ್ದು ನಿಂತು, ಸुभದ್ರಾಕುಮಾರನು ಇನ್ನೂ ಎದ್ದೇಳುತ್ತಿರಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಅವನ ಶಿರಸ್ಸಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಗದಾಪ್ರಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿದನು.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral strain of warfare: the pursuit of kīrti (fame) and clan-glory can drive actions that appear to violate ideals of fair combat. It invites reflection on how dharma is tested when victory and reputation become overriding motives.
Sañjaya narrates that Abhimanyu (Saubhadra), while attempting to rise, is struck on the head with a mace. The son of Duḥśāsana is specifically described as delivering this blow, framing it as an act meant to enhance Kuru renown.
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