Shloka 15
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
एवं नूनं हते वृत्रे शक्रं नन्दन्ति वन्दिन: । तथा त्वां निहतामित्रं वयं नन्दाम भारत
evaṁ nūnaṁ hate vṛtre śakraṁ nandanti vandinaḥ | tathā tvāṁ nihatāmitraṁ vayaṁ nandāma bhārata ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Tunay nga, nang mapatay si Vṛtra, nagsaya at nagpugay ang mga makata kay Śakra (Indra). Gayon din, O Bhārata, kami’y nagsasaya at nagpupugay sa iyo—na siyang nagpabagsak sa iyong mga kaaway.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how public acclaim follows perceived victory: just as Indra was celebrated after slaying Vṛtra, a king is praised when enemies are defeated. It implicitly shows the power—and potential bias—of courtly praise in shaping a ruler’s sense of righteousness and success.
Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra and offers congratulatory praise, comparing him (as the patron of the victorious side) to Indra being lauded after Vṛtra’s death, and stating that they too rejoice and acclaim him as a slayer of enemies.