Shloka 173
Duryodhana-patana-anuśocana
The Fall of Duryodhana and the Contest of Restraint
को न्वेष संयुगे प्राज्ञ: पुनर्दन्द्धे समाह्नयेत् । इस दुर्योधनकी सेना मारी गयी थी। यह परास्त हो गया था और अब राज्य पानेसे निराश हो वनमें चला जाना चाहता था; इसीलिये भागकर पोखरेमें छिपा था
ko nveṣa saṁyuge prājñaḥ punar dvan-dve samāhvayet |
Vāyu disse: “Quem, sendo prudente, chamaria novamente em batalha para um duelo um inimigo já esmagado? O exército de Duryodhana fora abatido; ele estava derrotado e, desesperando de recuperar o reino, queria retirar-se para a floresta. Por isso fugiu e se escondeu num lago. Que homem sensato convidaria um adversário quebrado e sem esperança para combate singular no campo de guerra?”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses prudence and ethical restraint in warfare: a wise person does not seek glory by challenging a foe who is already broken, defeated, and without hope—such a duel would be unnecessary and morally questionable.
Vāyu comments on Duryodhana’s condition after his army’s destruction: defeated and despairing of kingship, he flees and hides in a pond, intending to abandon the struggle; the speaker questions why anyone would now call him out for a formal duel.