Shloka 40
दुर्मुखस्तु महेष्वासो वीरं पुरुजितं बली । द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं वत्सदन्तैरवारयत्,महाधनुर्धर बलवान् दुर्मुखने द्रोणाचार्यके सामने जाते हुए वीर पुरुजित॒को वत्सदन्तोंके प्रहारद्वारा रोक दिया
durmukhastu maheṣvāso vīraṃ purujitaṃ balī | droṇāyābhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ vatsadantair avārayat |
Sañjaya berkata: Durmukha, pemanah agung yang perkasa, menahan wira Purujit ketika dia mara terus menghadap Droṇa, menghentikannya dengan hentaman senjata yang bernama Vatsadanta. Adegan itu menegaskan bahawa dalam himpitan perang, kesetiaan kepada panglima dan kewajipan menghalang musuh yang menerjah menjadi tindakan yang menentukan—namun pada masa yang sama ia mengeratkan lagi jalinan tragis keganasan yang menelan keberanian kedua-dua pihak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-duty in wartime: protecting one’s commander and obstructing an enemy’s advance is treated as a necessary obligation. Ethically, it also reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension—personal heroism and loyalty operate within a destructive cycle where even ‘right action’ in battle contributes to collective tragedy.
As Purujit moves directly toward Droṇa, Durmukha—renowned as a great archer—intercepts him and halts his advance by striking him with a weapon referred to as Vatsadanta.