Shloka 25
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 109 — Karṇa–Bhīma Yuddha and Durmukha’s Fall (कर्णभीमयुद्धम्; दुर्मुखवधः)
हताश्चृं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा दुर्मुखो विमनास्तदा । आरुरोह रथं राजन् निरमित्रस्थ भारत
hatāś ca tu rathaṃ tyaktvā durmukho vimanās tadā | ārurōha rathaṃ rājan niramitrastha bhārata ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian Durmukha, semangatnya hancur, meninggalkan keretanya sendiri dan, pada saat itu dengan hati muram, menaiki sebuah kereta lain, wahai Raja—seolah-olah tiada lagi sahabat yang menyokongnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological truth of war: when companions fall and support systems collapse, a warrior may become 'niramitra-stha'—effectively friendless—revealing how fragile confidence and alliances can be amid adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya reports that Durmukha, dejected after losses, leaves his own chariot and climbs onto another, indicating retreat from his previous position and a moment of vulnerability and disarray on the battlefield.