Shloka 21
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Duryodhana Dialogue on Peace and the Refusal of Compromise
प्रतीपमिव मे भाति युयुधानेन भारती । व्यस्ता सीमन्तिनी ग्रस्ता प्रमृष्टा दीर्घबाहुना,मुझे तो ऐसा प्रतीत हो रहा है कि पुरुषसे तिरस्कृत हुई नारीकी भाँति इस भरतवंशियोंकी सेनाको विशाल बाँहोंवाले वीर सात्यकिने अपने अधिकारमें करके रौंद डाला है और वह अब विपरीत दिशाकी ओर अस्त-व्यस्त दशामें भागी जा रही है
pratīpam iva me bhāti yuyudhānena bhāratī | vyastā sīmanta-nī grastā pramṛṣṭā dīrgha-bāhunā ||
难敌说道：“在我看来，婆罗多大军仿佛被优优陀那（萨底耆）扭转到相反的方向——如同被男子轻蔑的女子：发缝凌乱，被长臂勇士攫住并粗暴蹂躏。此军亦然，陷入混乱，似乎正向反方向溃逃。”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly an army’s morale and order can collapse under a decisive warrior’s pressure, and how leaders may frame defeat through charged imagery of dishonor—revealing the ethical weight placed on reputation and composure in kṣatriya warfare.
Duryodhana observes the Kuru/Bharata forces being thrown into confusion by Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki). He describes their disarray and retreat with a harsh simile of a woman humiliated and dishevelled, emphasizing the perceived indignity of being routed.