Shloka 11
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
ये न: पुरा षण्ढतिलानवोचन् क्रूरा राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रा: । ते नो हता: सगणा: सानुबन्धा: काम स्वर्ग नरकं वा पताम:
sañjaya uvāca |
ye naḥ purā ṣaṇḍhatilān avocan krūrā rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāḥ |
te no hatāḥ sagaṇāḥ sānubandhāḥ kāmaṃ svargaṃ narakaṃ vā patāmaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Anak-anak Raja Dhṛtarāṣṭra yang kejam, yang dahulu mengejek kami—memanggil kami sida-sida dan tidak bernilai seperti biji bijan kosong—mereka itulah kini telah kami bunuh, bersama kumpulan dan sekutu mereka. Kini, biarlah jadi apa adanya: sama ada naik ke syurga atau jatuh ke neraka, kami tidak lagi resah akan akibatnya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral peril of acting from wounded honor and vengeance: even after achieving retribution against cruel mockers, the speaker expresses indifference to heaven or hell, underscoring how rage and pride can eclipse concern for dharma and the karmic aftermath.
Sanjaya reports a triumphant, grim reflection: the Kauravas—who earlier derided the opposing side with a humiliating insult—have been killed along with their followers and allied connections, and the victors now speak as if the ultimate posthumous result (heaven or hell) no longer matters.