Shloka 273
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
राजानो राजपुत्राश्व॒ समरेष्वनिवर्तिन: । ये तथा और भी बहुत-से महाबली राजा और राजकुमार जो युद्धसे पीछे हटनेवाले नहीं थे, कुरुराज दुर्योधनकी विजयके लिये अपने प्यारे प्राणोंका परित्याग करके स्वर्गलोकमें चले गये हैं
rājāno rājaputrāś ca samareṣv anivartinaḥ | ye tathānyepi bahavo mahābalā rājānaḥ rājaputrāś ca kururāja-duryodhanasya vijayārthaṃ priyān prāṇān parityajya svargalokaṃ gatāḥ |
नारद उवाच—राजानः राजपुत्राश्च समरेष्वनिवर्तिनः। तथा चान्ये बहवो महाबला नृपाः कुमाराश्च कुरुराजस्य दुर्योधनस्य विजयार्थं प्रियान् प्राणान् परित्यज्य स्वर्गलोकं गताः॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior-ethic of steadfastness in battle and the ideal of sacrificing one’s life for one’s chosen cause and leader. It frames such death—when undertaken with unwavering resolve in the battlefield—as leading to Svarga, reflecting the Mahābhārata’s recurring linkage between kṣatriya-duty, loyalty, and posthumous reward.
Nārada is describing how numerous kings and princes, famed for not retreating in combat, have already given up their lives in the Kurukṣetra war. They fought aiming at Duryodhana’s victory and, having died, are said to have gone to the heavenly realm.