Shloka 12
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Bereavement and the Averted Assault on Bhīma (Āyasī Pratimā Episode)
पज्चाला निहताः: सर्वे धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमा: । द्रुपदस्यात्मजाश्रैव द्रौपदेयाश्व पातिता:
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | pañcālā nihatāḥ sarve dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ | drupadasyātmajāś caiva draupadeyāś ca pātitāḥ ||
ധൃഷ്ടദ്യുമ്നനെ മുൻനിർത്തി പാഞ്ചാലർ എല്ലാവരും നിഹതരായി. ദ്രുപദന്റെ പുത്രന്മാരും ദ്രൗപദിയുടെ പുത്രന്മാരും കൂടി വീണുപോയി.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tragedy of war: even those aligned with dharma suffer irreparable losses. It points to the sobering truth that violence multiplies grief, and that triumph in battle does not prevent moral and emotional devastation.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports the destruction of the Pañcāla forces, including their leader Dhṛṣṭadyumna, along with Drupada’s sons and Draupadī’s sons. This belongs to the lament-filled aftermath where the scale of slaughter is recounted and mourned.