Shloka 12
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
इस प्रकार जब वह ऊपर चढ़ा, तब सब लोग उसकी भ्रान्तिपर हँसने लगे। उसके बाद राजा दुर्योधनने एक स्फटिकमणिका बना हुआ दरवाजा देखा, जो वास्तवमें बंद था, तो भी खुला दीखता था। उसमें प्रवेश करते ही उसका सिर टकरा गया और उसे चक््कर-सा आ गया ।।
tādṛśaṃ ca paraṃ dvāraṃ sphāṭikorukapāṭakam | vighaṭūṭayan karābhyāṃ tu niṣkramyāgre papāta ha ||
قال فَيْشَمْبايَنَة: ثم لقي بابًا آخر من ذلك النوع، مُركَّبًا بألواح كبيرة من البلّور. فظنّ المفتوحَ مُغلقًا، ودفعه دُريودَهَنَة بكلتا يديه؛ فإذا به، بدفعته تلك، يتعثّر خارج العتبة ويسقط منكبًّا إلى الأمام. فضحك الناظرون من حيرته.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode illustrates how arrogance and jealousy cloud discernment: when one is inwardly unsettled, even ordinary perception becomes distorted, leading to self-inflicted disgrace. Ethically, it warns that ridicule and wounded pride can harden resentment and propel adharma-driven choices.
In the wondrous hall with deceptive crystal architecture, Duryodhana mistakes an open crystal door for a closed one and pushes at it; the push carries him out and he falls forward, becoming a laughingstock to the assembled people.