Shloka 1
Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)
ऑपन--माज छा अकाल षष्ठो5 ध्याय: द्वारकामें अर्जुन और वसुदेवजीकी बातचीत वैशम्पायन उवाच तं॑ शयानं महात्मानं वीरमानकदुन्दुभिम् | पुत्रशोकेन संतप्तं ददर्श कुरुपुड्रव:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | taṁ śayānaṁ mahātmānaṁ vīram ānakadundubhim | putraśokena saṁtaptaṁ dadarśa kurupuṅgavaḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच । तं शयानं महात्मानं वीरमानकदुन्दुभिम् । पुत्रशोकेन संतप्तं ददर्श कुरुपुङ्गवः ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and existential consequence of internecine destruction: when a lineage collapses, even revered elders and heroes are overwhelmed by sorrow. It underscores the Mahābhārata’s warning that violence within one’s own community rebounds as irreversible grief.
In Dvārakā after the calamity that destroyed the Yādavas, Arjuna (the foremost Kuru) sees Vasudeva—called Ānakadundubhi—lying down, anguished by the loss of his sons. This sets the tone for Arjuna’s encounter with the devastated household of Kṛṣṇa.