Shloka 31
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
यह कहकर प्रतापी रोहिणीनन्दन बलरामजी, जो श्वेत बादलोंके अग्रभागकी भाँति गौर-कान्तिसे सुशोभित हो रहे थे, रथपर आरूढ़ हो द्वारकाकी ओर चल दिये ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
ity uktvā pratāpī rohiṇīnandano balarāmaḥ śvetameghāgrabhāga iva gaura-kāntyā suśobhamānaḥ ratham āruhya dvārakāṃ prati jagāma ||
pañcālāś ca vṛṣṇayaḥ pāṇḍavāś ca viśāṃ pate |
rāme dvāravatīṃ yāte nātipramanaso 'bhavan prajānātha ||
三阇耶说：说罢，罗希尼之子、英武的婆罗罗摩，光辉皎洁如白云前锋，登上战车，向堕罗迦而去。罗摩既赴堕罗伐底，般遮罗人、弗利史尼族与般度诸勇士，噫，民之主啊，皆为之沮丧；胸中豪兴不复如前。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological dimension of dharma-yuddha: the presence or withdrawal of a revered, powerful elder (Balarāma) affects collective resolve. Leadership is not only strategic but also moral-symbolic; when such a figure steps away, allies may lose heart, revealing how righteousness and morale are intertwined.
After speaking, Balarāma—described as radiant—mounts his chariot and departs for Dvārakā. In response, the Pañcālas, Vṛṣṇis, and Pāṇḍavas become dispirited, their enthusiasm diminished, as Sañjaya reports this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.