Shloka 8
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
प्राणिनामेवमन्येषां स्थादपीति विनाशनम् | शोकाग्निना दहामानो धम्यमान इवाशये
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
prāṇinām evam anyeṣāṁ sthād apīti vināśanam |
śokāgninā dahāmāno dhmyamāna ivāśaye ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ସେ ଭାବିଲେ, ‘ଏହିପରି ଅନ୍ୟ ପ୍ରାଣୀମାନଙ୍କର ମଧ୍ୟ ବିନାଶ ହୋଇପାରେ।’ ଶୋକାଗ୍ନିରେ ଦହିତ ହୋଇ ସେ ଏମିତି ଲାଗୁଥିଲେ, ଯେନେ ହୃଦୟଭିତରେ ଧମଣୀ ଚାଲିଛି।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked attachment and delusion lead to ethical blindness; when consequences arrive, grief burns like fire. The verse frames sorrow as the inner result of recognizing inevitable destruction brought about by prior choices aligned with adharma.
After hearing and reflecting on the (previously unthinkable) death of Karṇa, Dhṛtarāṣṭra concludes that the Kaurava side cannot survive and that destruction may befall others as well. This realization ignites intense grief within him, described as a fire being fanned in his heart.