Shloka 19
शकुनिवधः — Sahadeva’s Slaying of Śakuni
with Ulūka’s fall
तथा विनिहते सैन्ये पश्य दुर्योधनं स्थितम् । अद्याल्वा हि महाराजो हतामित्रो भविष्यति
tathā vinihate sainye paśya duryodhanaṃ sthitam | adyālvā hi mahārājo hatāmitro bhaviṣyati ||
Sañjaya disse: “Quando o exército foi assim dizimado, vê: Duryodhana ainda permanece de pé. Hoje, de fato, o grande rei tornar-se-á aquele cujos inimigos foram abatidos.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the precariousness of power in war: even after massive destruction, a king’s standing is judged by whether he can overcome his foes. It underscores how quickly royal fortune turns on the battlefield and how victory is framed as the elimination of enemies.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that, despite the army being heavily slain, Duryodhana is still standing firm, and he suggests that this very day Duryodhana may emerge as the great king who has slain his enemies.