Shloka 18
Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)
ततः पुत्रांश् पौत्रांक्ष भ्रावनथ सखींस्तथा । शयानान् निहतान् दृष्टवा ततो मामब्रवीदिदम्,इतने शक्तिशाली होते हुए भी तुम्हारे सखाने अपने इन भाई-बन्धुओंको प्राणसंकटसे बचानेकी इच्छा नहीं की। जब पुत्र, पौत्र, भाई और मित्र सभी एक-दूसरेके हाथसे मरकर धराशायी हो गये तब उन्हें उस अवस्थामें देखकर श्रीकृष्ण मेरे पास आये और इस प्रकार बोले--
tataḥ putrān pautrāṁś ca bhrātṝn atha sakhīṁs tathā | śayānān nihatān dṛṣṭvā tato mām abravīd idam ||
Vasudeva disse: “Então, ao ver filhos e netos, irmãos e amigos estendidos — mortos e espalhados pelo chão — Śrī Krishna veio a mim e disse estas palavras. Embora possuíssem grande poder, nem sequer quiseram salvar os seus do perigo mortal; e quando todos pereceram pelas mãos uns dos outros, ele falou comigo após testemunhar aquela ruína.”
वसुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the ethical and existential warning that even great strength cannot prevent ruin when a community turns against itself; kinship bonds collapse, and the aftermath becomes a moment for sober reflection on dharma, restraint, and the consequences of internal strife.
Vasudeva describes the scene after the internecine slaughter: sons, grandsons, brothers, and friends lie dead. After witnessing them fallen, Śrī Kṛṣṇa approaches Vasudeva and begins to speak, marking a transition to Kṛṣṇa’s ensuing words and the lamentable close of the Yādava line.