अध्याय ९ — कर्णस्य प्रहारः, योधयुग्मनियोजनम्, शैनेय-कैकेययोर्युद्धविन्यासः
प्रधने हतभूयिष्ठै: किंस्विद् दुर्योधनो<ब्रवीत् । हितैषी सुहृदोंके मना करनेपर भी पाण्डवोंके साथ स्वयं बड़ा भारी वैर ठानकर दुर्योधनने, जब संग्राममें उसके अधिकांश सैनिक मार डाले गये, तब क्या कहा? ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pradhane hatabhūyiṣṭhaiḥ kiṃ svid duryodhano 'bravīt | hitaiṣī suhṛdāṃ ke mānaḥ karṇe 'pi pāṇḍavaiḥ saha svayaṃ mahā-vairaṃ ṭhānakṛtvā duryodhanena, yadā saṅgrāme tasya bahavo yodhā hatāḥ, tadā kiṃ uktam | bhrātaraṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena saṃyuge |
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang sa digmaan ay halos napatay ang karamihan sa kanyang mga mandirigma, ano ang sinabi ni Duryodhana? Bagama’t si Karṇa ay kaibigang may mabuting hangarin, si Duryodhana—na siya mismo ang nagpasya sa malaking poot laban sa mga Pāṇḍava—anong mga salita ang binitiwan niya matapos makita ang kanyang kapatid na napatay ni Bhīmasena sa labanan?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames how steadfast enmity and pride can persist even amid catastrophic loss: Duryodhana’s chosen hostility toward the Pāṇḍavas is highlighted as a deliberate resolve, setting an ethical contrast between well-wishing counsel (hitaiṣī) and self-chosen vengeful commitment.
Vaiśampāyana poses a transition question: after Duryodhana’s forces have largely been destroyed and after he witnesses his brother slain by Bhīma in battle, the narration turns to what Duryodhana says next—preparing the listener for his response and ensuing events.