Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 49: Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament and Strategic Foreboding after Abhimanyu’s Fall
तं॑ दृष्टवा पतितं भूमौ चन्द्रार्कसदृशद्युतिम् तावकानां परा प्रीति: पाण्डूनां चाभवद् व्यथा
taṁ dṛṣṭvā patitaṁ bhūmau candrārka-sadṛśa-dyutim | tāvakānāṁ parā prītiḥ pāṇḍūnāṁ cābhavad vyathā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat dia rebah di bumi—bersinar laksana bulan dan matahari—pihak tuanku dipenuhi kegembiraan besar, sedangkan para Pāṇḍava ditimpa pedih yang menikam batin.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical tragedy of war: the same event—an illustrious warrior’s fall—produces opposite emotions in opposing camps. It invites reflection on how enmity can eclipse reverence for virtue and how victory can be morally complicated when it rests on another’s suffering.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Abhimanyu lies fallen on the battlefield. The Kaurava side feels intense joy at his defeat, while the Pāṇḍavas experience deep inner pain and distress on seeing their heroic young warrior brought down.
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