Shloka 24
अश्वत्थाम-शापः, परिक्षिद्भविष्यत्, मणि-न्यासः
Aśvatthāman’s Curse, Parikṣit’s Future, and the Mani’s Restitution
अवतीर्य रथेभ्यस्तु त्वरमाणा महारथा: । ददृशुद्रौपदीं कृष्णामार्तामार्ततरा: स्वयम्
avatīrya rathebhyaḥ tu tvaramāṇā mahārathāḥ | dadṛśuḥ draupadīṃ kṛṣṇām ārtām ārtatarāḥ svayam ||
Setelah segera turun dari kereta-kereta perang, para maharatha itu sendiri melihat Draupadī—Kṛṣṇā—ditenggelami dukacita; dan tatkala memandangnya, mereka menjadi lebih pilu daripada dirinya. Rangkap ini menegaskan bahawa akibat kekerasan tidak berakhir pada kemenangan atau kelangsungan hidup: ia merebak sebagai penderitaan melalui empati, pertalian darah, dan kejutan moral.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and human cost of war: suffering multiplies beyond the immediate victim. Seeing another’s anguish can deepen one’s own grief, reminding the listener that violence leaves enduring moral and emotional consequences for all connected.
In the wake of the night massacre (Sauptika events), the great warriors hastily dismount from their chariots and see Draupadī in intense sorrow. Her condition moves them so strongly that they become even more distressed than she is.