Shloka 2
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
तान् दृष्टवा द्रवतः सर्वान् धार्तराष्ट्रानू पराड्मुखान् । दुर्योधनो महाराजो नासीत् तत्र पराड्मुख:,धृतराष्ट्रके सभी पुत्रोंको युद्धसे पीठ दिखाकर भागते देखकर भी राजा दुर्योधन स्वयं वहीं डटा रहा। उसने पीठ नहीं दिखायी
tān dṛṣṭvā dravataḥ sarvān dhārtarāṣṭrān parāṅmukhān | duryodhano mahārājo nāsīt tatra parāṅmukhaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang makita niyang ang lahat ng anak ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra ay tumatakas na nakatalikod sa labanan, si Haring Duryodhana lamang ang hindi tumalikod doon. Kahit nagkawatak-watak at tumakbo ang kanyang panig, nanatili siyang matatag, tumangging ipakita ang likod sa digmaan—larawan ng matibay na tapang, bagaman inialay sa isang layuning di-matuwid.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield steadfastness as a kṣatriya ideal—refusing to turn one’s back—while implicitly inviting ethical reflection: personal courage can be admirable in form yet morally compromised when aligned with an unrighteous cause.
As the Kaurava side (Dhārtarāṣṭras) breaks and flees, Duryodhana is singled out as remaining on the field, not becoming parāṅmukha (not turning his back), thereby contrasting his resolve with the panic of his followers.