Shloka 30
Adhyāya 8: Saṃprahāra-varṇana and Bhīma–Kṣemadhūrti Dvipa-Yuddha
Combat Description and Elephant Duel
ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिमित्राणामिमं श्रुत्वा पराभवम्
jñātisambandhimitrāṇām imaṃ śrutvā parābhavam
தம் உறவினர், சுற்றத்தார், நண்பர்கள் இவ்வாறு தோல்வியுற்ற செய்தியைக் கேட்டதும், இழப்பின் அதிர்ச்சியால் அவர்கள் மனம் கலங்கியது.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that defeat in war is not isolated to the battlefield; it reverberates through kinship and alliances, reminding readers that dharma involves responsibility toward one’s social bonds and that violence carries communal consequences.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that news of a particular defeat has been heard by those connected as kinsmen, relatives, and allies, setting up their reaction and the ensuing developments in the Karṇa Parva’s battle narrative.