Shloka 28
Adhyāya 18 — Sequential Duels and Formation Pressure
Ulūka–Yuyutsu; Śakuni–Sutasoma; Kṛpa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna; Kṛtavarmā–Śikhaṇḍin
एष पार्थ महारौद्रो वर्तते भरतक्षय: । पृथिव्यां पार्थिवानां वै दुर्योधनकृते महान्,'पार्थ! दुर्योधनके कारण यह भूमण्डलके भूपालों तथा भरतवंशियोंकी सेनाका महाभयंकर एवं महान् संहार हो रहा है
sañjaya uvāca |
eṣa pārtha mahāraudro vartate bharatakṣayaḥ |
pr̥thivyāṃ pārthivānāṃ vai duryodhanakr̥te mahān |
Sañjaya nói: “Hỡi Pārtha! Sự diệt vong ghê rợn của dòng Bharata đang diễn ra. Trên mặt đất này, một cuộc tàn sát lớn lao và kinh hoàng các bậc vương giả đang xảy ra—tất cả vì Duryodhana.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral causality in war: when a ruler’s obstinacy and adharma dominate, the cost is borne by entire peoples and many kings. It frames the catastrophe as ‘for Duryodhana’s sake,’ underscoring personal responsibility for collective ruin.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that an extremely fierce and vast destruction is underway on the battlefield: many kings are being slain, and the Bharata forces are being decimated, with Duryodhana’s cause presented as the driving reason.