Shloka 17
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
कौरवार्थे पराक्रान्ता: संग्रामे निधनं गता: । यथाभागं यथोत्साहं भवन्त: कृतपौरुषा:,उन्होंने अपने समस्त भाइयों तथा श्रीकृष्ण और सात्यकिको बुलाकर इस प्रकार कहा --“बन्धुओ! भीष्म, द्रोण, कर्ण तथा अन्य जो-जो राजा दुर्योधनके लिये पराक्रम दिखाते थे, वे सब-के-सब संग्राममें मारे गये। तुमलोगोंने पुरुषार्थ करके उत्साहपूर्वक अपने-अपने हिस्सेका कार्य पूरा कर लिया
kauravārthe parākrāntāḥ saṅgrāme nidhanaṃ gatāḥ | yathābhāgaṃ yathotsāhaṃ bhavantaḥ kṛtapauruṣāḥ ||
कौरवार्थे पराक्रान्ताः संग्रामे निधनं गताः । यथाभागं यथोत्साहं भवन्तः कृतपौरुषाः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a war-time ethic of responsibility and proportion: one should exert oneself according to one’s rightful role (yathābhāgam) and capacity/zeal (yathotsāham), recognizing that outcomes—especially death in war—are the inevitable consequence of chosen allegiance and action.
Sañjaya reports that the warriors who fought for the Kaurava cause have been killed in battle, and he addresses the listeners respectfully, acknowledging that they have each completed their respective part with due effort and enthusiasm.