Shloka 503
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
मूर्थ्नि स्थितममित्राणां को नु स्वन्ततरो मया । दुर्योधनने कहा--मैंने विधिपूर्वक अध्ययन किया
mūrdhni sthitam amitrāṇāṁ ko nu svantataro mayā |
قال دُريودَهَنَ: «لقد وقفتُ وقد وضعتُ قدمي على رؤوس أعدائي. فمن ذا، حقًّا، لقي نهايةً أوفر حظًّا من نهايتي؟»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral blindness of pride: Duryodhana equates ‘a good end’ with having dominated enemies, whereas the epic’s ethical frame treats true auspiciousness as alignment with dharma, humility, and right conduct.
In Shalya Parva’s closing movement, Duryodhana reflects on his life and fate. Even as defeat and death approach, he asserts his superiority by recalling his triumphs over foes, presenting his downfall as a ‘fortunate end’ because he once stood over enemies.