Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 7
अध्याय ३: कृपस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Duryodhana
अनाथा नाथमिच्छन्तो मृगा: सिंहार्दिता इव । भग्नशृड्भरा इव वृषा: शीर्णदंष्टा इवोरगा:
anāthā nātham icchanto mṛgāḥ siṁhārditā iva | bhagnaśṛṅgadharā iva vṛṣāḥ śīrṇadaṁṣṭā ivoragāḥ ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ— ରକ୍ଷାହୀନ ହୋଇ ଆମେ ଜଣେ ରକ୍ଷକଙ୍କୁ ଆକାଂକ୍ଷା କରୁଥିଲୁ। ଆମ ଦଶା ସିଂହଦ୍ୱାରା ତାଡ଼ିତ ମୃଗମାନଙ୍କ ପରି, ଶିଙ୍ଗ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଥିବା ବୃଷମାନଙ୍କ ପରି, ଦଂଷ୍ଟ୍ରା ଭାଙ୍ଗିଥିବା ସର୍ପମାନଙ୍କ ପରି ହୋଇଥିଲା।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological need for rightful protection and leadership: when a community loses its capable guardian, it becomes vulnerable and demoralized, like prey before a predator. It implicitly stresses the dharmic duty of a leader to provide refuge and stability, especially amid war.
Sañjaya describes the Kaurava side’s helplessness and fear, portraying them as seeking a protector after being battered in battle. He uses vivid similes—deer attacked by a lion, horn-broken bulls, and fangless serpents—to convey their weakened, defenseless state.
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