Shloka 250
Jayadratha Approaches Draupadī in the Forest
Hospitality, Persuasion, and Reproach
इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि घोषयात्रापर्वणि दुर्योधनप्रायोपवेशे कर्णवाक्ये पजञ्चाशदधिकद्धिशततमो<्ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi ghoṣayātrāparvaṇi duryodhana-prāyopaveśe karṇa-vākye pañcāśad-adhika-dviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
یوں شری مہابھارت کے ون پرب کے گھوش یاترا پرب میں، دریو دھن کے پرایوپویش (آمرن انشن) اور کرن کے اقوال سے متعلق دو سو پچاسویں باب کا اختتام ہوا۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a colophon, the verse does not teach through direct instruction; it frames the episode ethically by highlighting two contrasting impulses: Duryodhana’s self-destructive resolve (prāyopaveśa) arising from wounded pride, and Karṇa’s role as an adviser whose words shape action. The implied lesson is that honor-driven despair can lead to harmful vows, and counsel can either restrain or inflame such impulses.
This is an end-of-chapter marker identifying the textual location: in the Vana Parva, within the Ghoṣa-yātrā section, the chapter dealing with Duryodhana’s decision to fast unto death and Karṇa’s speech has concluded; it labels the chapter number as the 250th.