Shloka 25
Adhyāya 17 — Gandhārī’s Vilāpa at Duryodhana’s Body (स्त्रीपर्व, अध्याय १७)
प्रकीर्णकेशां सुश्रोणी दुर्योधनशुभाड्कगाम् । रुक्मवेदीनिभां पश्य कृष्ण लक्ष्मणमातरम्,श्रीकृष्ण! सुवर्णकी वेदीके समान तेजस्विनी तथा सुन्दर कटि-प्रदेशवाली उस लक्ष्मणकी माताको तो देखो, जो दुर्योधनके शुभ-अंकमें स्थित हो केश खोले रो रही है
prākīrṇakeśāṃ suśroṇīṃ duryodhanaśubhāṅkagām | rukmavedīnibhāṃ paśya kṛṣṇa lakṣmaṇamātaram ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Kṛṣṇa, lihatlah ibu Lakṣmaṇā—rambutnya kusut mengurai, pinggangnya yang elok kini tunduk oleh duka—duduk di pangkuan Duryodhana yang dianggap bertuah. Dia bersinar laksana altar emas, namun saat ini menangis, hancur oleh malapetaka sesudah perang.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse heightens the ethical tragedy of war: even those described with splendor and auspicious imagery are reduced to dishevelled mourning. It underscores how adharma-driven conflict collapses social order and dignity, leaving grief that mocks notions of ‘auspiciousness’ and worldly glory.
Vaiśampāyana points out to Kṛṣṇa a grieving woman identified as Lakṣmaṇā’s mother. With loosened hair—a conventional sign of lament—she is shown seated on Duryodhana’s lap, shining like a golden altar yet crying, illustrating the sorrowful aftermath depicted in Strī-parvan.