Shloka 38
यशक्षु दर्पक्ष तथा प्रियाणि सर्वाणि कार्याणि च तेन केतुना । साकं कुरूणां हृदयानि चापतन् बभूव हाहेति च नि:स्वनो महान्
sañjaya uvāca | yaśaś ca darpaś ca tathā priyāṇi sarvāṇi kāryāṇi ca tena ketunā | sākaṃ kurūṇāṃ hṛdayāni cāpatann babhūva hāheti ca niḥsvano mahān ||
Sañjaya berkata: Dengan jatuhnya panji itu, kemuliaan dan kebanggaan kaum Kuru turut runtuh; segala harapan serta usaha yang mereka kasihi dihancurkan, bahkan hati mereka seakan-akan jatuh bersamanya. Lalu bangkitlah jeritan besar “Aduhai! Aduhai!” dari segenap penjuru—bunyi pertanda malang, putus asa yang menyelubungi medan perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external symbols (like a banner) embody collective identity and resolve; when such a symbol falls, it can precipitate inner collapse—pride, confidence, and purpose—showing the ethical fragility of power grounded in arrogance rather than steadiness of dharma.
Sañjaya reports that a prominent banner has fallen; with it the Kaurava host feels its honor, pride, cherished aims, and courage collapsing, and a widespread cry of lamentation erupts across the battlefield.