Shloka 40
शल्यपर्वणि प्रथमाध्यायः — Karṇa-vadha-anantaraṃ Śalya-niyogaḥ, Saṃjayasya Dhṛtarāṣṭra-nivedanam
तस्मिन् निपतिते भूमौ विदुरोडपि महायशा:
tasmin nipatite bhūmau viduro 'pi mahāyaśāḥ
เมื่อเขาล้มลงสู่พื้นดินแล้ว วิดูระผู้มีเกียรติยศยิ่งก็ (พลอยสะเทือนใจและหวั่นไหวไปด้วย)
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the fragility of human composure in the face of catastrophic loss: even Vidura, emblematic of wisdom and dharma, is not untouched. It highlights that moral clarity does not eliminate grief, and that the collapse of righteous order in war affects all, including the virtuous.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, after a significant figure has fallen to the ground, Vidura—famed and respected—also reacts strongly (implied collapse or being overwhelmed). The line functions as a brief narrative marker of collective shock and sorrow at the unfolding tragedy.