Shloka 44
Samrāt-Lakṣaṇa and the Counsel to Check Jarāsandha (सम्राट्-लक्षणं जरासन्ध-प्रतिबाधा-परामर्शः)
तौ स राजा जरासंध: श्रुत्वा च निधनं गतौ । पुरं शून्येन मनसा प्रययौं भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ उन दोनोंकी मृत्यु हुई सुनकर राजा जरासंध हताश हो गया और उत्साहशून्य हृदयसे अपनी राजधानीको लौट गया
tau sa rājā jarāsandhaḥ śrutvā ca nidhanaṃ gatau | puraṃ śūnyena manasā prayayau bharatarṣabha ||
Mendengar bahawa kedua-duanya telah menemui ajal, Raja Jarāsandha—dengan hati yang kosong daripada tekad—pulang ke ibu kotanya, wahai keturunan Bharata yang utama.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s vulnerability: the loss of key supporters or agents can drain morale and weaken political resolve. Ethically, it points to the ripple effects of death—beyond the slain, it destabilizes minds, decisions, and governance.
Jarāsandha hears that “those two” have died. Struck with dejection and loss of enthusiasm, he leaves and returns to his capital city, his mind described as ‘empty’ or ‘desolate’ (śūnyena manasā).