Shloka 383
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 155 — Ghaṭotkaca-nidhana-śoka and Karṇa-śakti-vyaya
Kṛṣṇa’s strategic reassurance
निषसाद रथोपस्थे भृशं सम्मूढचेतन: । कानोंतक खींचकर चलाये हुए उस बाणसे घायल हो कुरुवंशी दुर्योधन अत्यन्त मूर्च्छित हो गया और रथके पिछले भागमें धम्मसे बैठ गया
niṣasāda rathopasthe bhṛśaṃ sammūḍhacetanāḥ |
Sañjaya berkata: Dipanah dan fikiran menjadi kacau, Duryodhana—zuriat keturunan Kuru—rebah dalam pengsan yang dalam lalu terhempas berat ke bahagian belakang keretanya. Adegan itu menegaskan bahawa dalam perang, tekad seorang raja yang angkuh pun boleh hancur sekelip mata, menyingkap rapuhnya kuasa serta harga kemanusiaan yang amat besar dalam konflik yang digerakkan oleh adharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the impermanence of martial pride and political power: in a moment, injury and shock can reduce a mighty king to helplessness. Ethically, it points to the heavy cost of a war pursued through adharma—where ambition and hostility culminate in suffering and loss of agency.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, struck by an arrow and mentally overwhelmed, loses consciousness and collapses onto the rear portion of his chariot, indicating a sudden turning point in the immediate combat situation.