Shloka 17
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
व्यूढानीकान् महाराज जवेनैव महामते । धार्तराष्ट्राममुं लोकं गमयामि विशाम्पते,“महाराज! महामते! धृतराष्ट्रके पुत्र कितनी ही सेनाओंकी मोर्चाबन्दी क्यों न कर लें, हम उन्हें शीघ्र यमलोकका पथिक बनाकर ही छोड़ेंगे। मैं स्वयं ही शकुनिसहित समस्त धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंको मार डालूँगा। दुर्योधन, कर्ण अथवा दूसरा जो कोई योद्धा मेरा सामना करेगा, उसे भी अवश्य मारूँगा
vyūḍhānīkān mahārāja javenaiva mahāmate | dhārtarāṣṭrām amuṃ lokaṃ gamayāmi viśāmpate ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: “O Hari, O marunong! Kahit pa magbuo ng masisikip na hanay ng hukbo ang mga anak ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra, agad ko silang ipapadala sa kabilang daigdig—sa kaharian ng kamatayan, O panginoon ng bayan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethos of decisive action and the moral weight of violent resolve: even strong military organization is portrayed as powerless before a determined champion, while the phrase “sending to the other world” underscores that war entails irreversible ethical consequences—death and accountability.
The speaker (reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana) conveys a forceful vow: regardless of how the Dhārtarāṣṭras arrange their troops, they will be swiftly defeated and sent to the realm beyond life—an emphatic declaration of impending slaughter in a martial context.