Shloka 3
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
दुर्योधनस्यथ पदवीं गतौ परमिकां रणे
duryodhanasyaiva padavīṁ gatāv paramikāṁ raṇe, tau dvau vīrau pāñcālābhyāṁ hatvā bhūmau sadā-kṛte suptau na vā? raṇabhūmau mṛtvā duryodhanasyaiva uttama-mārgeṇa gatau na vā? kim ubhābhyām api tatra kiñcid parākramaḥ kṛtaḥ? sañjaya, etat sarvaṁ me vada.
Ang dalawang bayani bang iyon, matapos pabagsakin ang mga Pañcāla, ay nakamtan sa digmaan ang sukdulang landas na tinahak ni Duryodhana? O sila ba’y bumagsak sa lupa upang matulog magpakailanman? Nang mamatay sa larangan, tunay bang sinundan nila ang marangal na landas ni Duryodhana? At nagpakita pa ba ang dalawa ng iba pang kagitingan doon? Sañjaya—isalaysay mo sa akin ang lahat ng ito.
घतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battlefield death in terms of a 'path' or posthumous course, reflecting the epic’s concern with honor and the moral weight of killing. It probes whether violent deeds and a warrior’s end are being interpreted as leading to a 'noble' destiny, highlighting the tension between martial ideals and ethical accountability.
The speaker questions Sañjaya about two warriors who killed Pañcālas: whether they died on the battlefield and thus followed Duryodhana’s own 'supreme' course after death, and whether they performed any further feats. It is an inquiry into the immediate aftermath of combat and the status of key fighters.