Shloka 29
Droṇa’s Rebuke to Duryodhana after Jayadratha’s Fall (द्रोणेन दुर्योधनं प्रति प्रत्युक्तिः)
एको बहून् समासाद्य कच्चिन्नासीतू पराड्मुख: । अत्यन्त सुखमें पला हुआ, इस लोक तथा राजलक्ष्मीका स्वामी अकेला दुर्योधन बहुसंख्यक योद्धाओंके साथ युद्ध करके रणभूमिसे विमुख तो नहीं हुआ? ।। संजय उवाच राजन संग्राममाश्चर्य तव पुत्रस्य भारत
sañjaya uvāca | eko bahūn samāsādya kaccin nāsīt parāṅmukhaḥ | rājān saṅgrāmam āścaryaṃ tava putrasya bhārata ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Wahai Raja, setelah bertemu ramai pahlawan seorang diri, tidakkah puteramu berpaling dari medan perang? Walaupun dibesarkan dalam kesenangan besar serta memiliki kedaulatan dan tuah diraja di dunia ini, adakah Duryodhana—berdiri seorang melawan sekalian—tetap teguh dalam pertempuran? Wahai Bhārata, pertempuran yang melibatkan puteramu itu sungguh menghairankan.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle: even one who has enjoyed comfort and royal prosperity is expected to face danger without turning away. It also subtly frames valor as a moral test—whether one remains firm or becomes parāṅmukha (retreats) when confronted by overwhelming opposition.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra about Duryodhana’s conduct in the fighting. He wonders aloud whether Duryodhana, alone against many, held his ground or turned away, and he remarks that the battle involving the king’s son was extraordinary.