Shloka 17

Chapter 136: Pandava Counter-Encirclement and the Vāyavya-Astra Disruption

Devanagari script

ततो दुर्योधनवच: श्रुत्वा भारत दुर्मुख:

Transliteration

tato duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā bhārata durmukhaḥ

Translation

ततो दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा भारत दुर्मुखः प्रत्युवाच।

Word by Word

• ततः: then; thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (स्थान/काल/अनन्तरार्थे)

• दुर्योधन-वचः: the words/speech of Duryodhana
• दुर्योधन-वचः: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वचस् (प्रातिपदिक) + दुर्योधन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• श्रुत्वा: having heard
• श्रुत्वा: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: श्रु (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्यय (पूर्वकालिक), कर्तरि

• भारत: O Bharata (descendant of Bharata)
• भारत: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: भारत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन, एकवचन

• दुर्मुखः: Durmukha (a warrior)
• दुर्मुखः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: दुर्मुख (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Duryodhana
• Durmukha
• Bhārata (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how speech and counsel in wartime quickly shape action: hearing a leader’s words prompts immediate response from followers, underscoring the ethical weight of leadership and the consequences of loyalty when dharma is under strain.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya continues reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra: after Duryodhana speaks, the Kaurava warrior Durmukha hears him and is about to react or speak, marking a transition to Durmukha’s response within the unfolding battle episode.