Shloka 13
द्रोण-पार्थ-युद्धम्
Droṇa–Pārtha Strategic Engagement
राजानं नात्र पश्यामि गा: समादाय गच्छति । दक्षिणं मार्गमास्थाय शड्के जीवपरायण:,परंतु इनमें मैं राजा दुर्योधनको नहीं देखता हूँ। मुझे संदेह है कि वह दक्षिण दिशाका मार्ग पकड़-कर गौओंको साथ ले अपनी जान बचाये भागा जा रहा है
rājānaṃ nātra paśyāmi gāḥ samādāya gacchati | dakṣiṇaṃ mārgam āsthāya śaṅke jīvaparāyaṇaḥ ||
అర్జునుడు అన్నాడు—“ఇక్కడ రాజు కనిపించడం లేదు. గోవులను వెంటబెట్టుకొని దక్షిణ మార్గం పట్టి, ప్రాణరక్షణకే ఆసక్తితో పారిపోతున్నాడని నాకు అనుమానం.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts royal duty and honor with self-preserving flight: a ruler who raids cattle yet retreats to save himself is implicitly criticized. It underscores the kshatriya ideal of facing consequences and protecting rightful property, especially cattle, which symbolize wealth and social order.
During the cattle-raid episode in Virata Parva, Arjuna observes that the ‘king’ is not present among the visible fighters. He infers that Duryodhana has taken the cattle and moved off by the southern route, likely withdrawing to preserve his life.