Shloka 25
Adhyāya 17 — Gandhārī’s Vilāpa at Duryodhana’s Body (स्त्रीपर्व, अध्याय १७)
प्रकीर्णकेशां सुश्रोणी दुर्योधनशुभाड्कगाम् । रुक्मवेदीनिभां पश्य कृष्ण लक्ष्मणमातरम्,श्रीकृष्ण! सुवर्णकी वेदीके समान तेजस्विनी तथा सुन्दर कटि-प्रदेशवाली उस लक्ष्मणकी माताको तो देखो, जो दुर्योधनके शुभ-अंकमें स्थित हो केश खोले रो रही है
prākīrṇakeśāṃ suśroṇīṃ duryodhanaśubhāṅkagām | rukmavedīnibhāṃ paśya kṛṣṇa lakṣmaṇamātaram ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Ó Kṛṣṇa, contempla a mãe de Lakṣmaṇā—com os cabelos desgrenhados, seus belos quadris agora vergados pela dor—sentada no regaço, tido por auspicioso, de Duryodhana. Ela resplandece como um altar de ouro; contudo, neste momento, chora, desfeita pela calamidade que se seguiu à guerra.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse heightens the ethical tragedy of war: even those described with splendor and auspicious imagery are reduced to dishevelled mourning. It underscores how adharma-driven conflict collapses social order and dignity, leaving grief that mocks notions of ‘auspiciousness’ and worldly glory.
Vaiśampāyana points out to Kṛṣṇa a grieving woman identified as Lakṣmaṇā’s mother. With loosened hair—a conventional sign of lament—she is shown seated on Duryodhana’s lap, shining like a golden altar yet crying, illustrating the sorrowful aftermath depicted in Strī-parvan.