Mahabharata 9.59.11 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 59, Shloka 11
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
ये न: पुरा षण्ढतिलानवोचन् क्रूरा राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रा: । ते नो हता: सगणा: सानुबन्धा: काम स्वर्ग नरकं वा पताम:
sañjaya uvāca |
ye naḥ purā ṣaṇḍhatilān avocan krūrā rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāḥ |
te no hatāḥ sagaṇāḥ sānubandhāḥ kāmaṃ svargaṃ narakaṃ vā patāmaḥ ||
संजय म्हणाला— राजा धृतराष्ट्राचे ते क्रूर पुत्र, ज्यांनी पूर्वी आम्हाला षण्ढ म्हणत आणि सोललेल्या तिळासारखे तुच्छ ठरवत हिणवले—ते आज आपल्या गणांसह, नातलगांसह आमच्या हातून मारले गेले. आता आम्ही स्वर्गात जाऊ वा नरकात पडू—त्याची चिंता नाही.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral peril of acting from wounded honor and vengeance: even after achieving retribution against cruel mockers, the speaker expresses indifference to heaven or hell, underscoring how rage and pride can eclipse concern for dharma and the karmic aftermath.
Sanjaya reports a triumphant, grim reflection: the Kauravas—who earlier derided the opposing side with a humiliating insult—have been killed along with their followers and allied connections, and the victors now speak as if the ultimate posthumous result (heaven or hell) no longer matters.
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