Shloka 21
धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--सूत! जब मेरी सेना मार डाली गयी और सारी छावनी सूनी कर दी गयी, उस समय पाण्डवोंकी सेनामें कितने सैनिक शेष रह गये थे? ।। एतनमे पृच्छतो ब्रूहि कुशलो हासि संजय । यच्च दुर्योधनो मन्द: कृतवांस्तनयो मम
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca— sūta! yadā mama senā hatā sarvā ca śibirāṇi śūnyīkṛtāni, tadā pāṇḍavānāṃ senāyāṃ kati yodhāḥ śeṣā abhavan? etan me pṛcchato brūhi, kuśalo ’si sañjaya; yac ca duryodhano mandaḥ kṛtavāṃs tanayo mama.
Wika ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra: “O Sūta! Nang mapatay ang buong hukbo ko at maiwang wasak at tiwangwang ang buong kampo, ilang mandirigma pa ang nalabi sa hanay ng mga Pāṇḍava? Ipagbigay-alam mo sa akin ang aking itinatanong—O Sañjaya, bihasa ka sa pagsasalaysay. At sabihin mo rin kung ano ang ginawa ng aking anak na si Duryodhana, na mapurol ang isip.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral blindness that follows attachment: Dhṛtarāṣṭra, even after catastrophic loss, focuses on numbers and on his son’s next move. It underscores how clinging to power and kinship can eclipse dharmic reflection and responsibility.
After the Kaurava forces and their camp have been devastated, Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the remaining strength of the Pāṇḍavas and asks what Duryodhana did next, setting up a report of the war’s late-stage developments.