Shloka 53
Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)
तान् दृष्टवा नेह पश्यामि जीवाम्यर्जुन दुर्मर: | वसुदेव बोले--अर्जुन! जिन वीरोंने सैकड़ों दैत्यों तथा राजाओंपर विजय पायी थी उन्हें आज यहाँ मैं नहीं देख पा रहा हूँ तो भी मेरे प्राण नहीं निकलते। जान पड़ता है, मेरे लिये मृत्यु दुर्लभ है
tān dṛṣṭvā neha paśyāmi jīvāmy arjuna durmaraḥ |
वसुदेव उवाच—एतत् दृष्ट्वापि नाहं तानिह पश्यामि; तथापि जीवाम्यर्जुन, दुर्मरः। ये शूरा दैत्यशतानि नृपशतानि च जितवन्तः, तेऽद्य न दृश्यन्ते; तथापि मे प्राणा न प्रयान्ति। मन्ये मम मृत्युर्दुर्लभा।
वसुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mightiest who once overcame formidable foes can vanish under the force of time and destiny; survival itself may feel like a burden when one witnesses the collapse of one’s world, highlighting impermanence and the inscrutability of fate within dharma.
In the wake of catastrophic events, Vasudeva addresses Arjuna, lamenting that he no longer sees the great heroes who once triumphed over Daityas and kings; he marvels bitterly that he still remains alive, as if death has become unattainable for him.