Shloka 39
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
अन्तरेणापि कौन्तेय निकृतिं पापनिश्चयम् । हन्ता त्वमसि दुर्धर्ष सानुबन्धं सुयोधनम्,“कुन्तीनन्दन! तुम दुर्धर्ष वीर हो, छल-कपटका आश्रय लिये बिना भी पापपूर्ण विचार रखनेवाले सुयोधनको सगे-सम्बन्धियोंसहित नष्ट कर सकते हो”
antareṇāpi kaunteya nikṛtiṁ pāpaniścayam | hantā tvam asi durdharṣa sānubandhaṁ suyodhanam ||
কুন্তীনন্দন! তুমি দুৰ্ধর্ষ বীৰ; ছল-কপটৰ আশ্ৰয় নোলোৱাকৈও পাপ-নিশ্চয়ত স্থিৰ সুয়োধনক তাৰ আত্মীয়-স্বজনসহ বিনাশ কৰিবলৈ সক্ষম।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts righteous strength with unethical means: a truly formidable hero need not rely on deceit to overcome an adversary whose intentions are sinful. It implies that moral clarity and legitimate prowess are sufficient, and that treachery is not a necessary instrument of victory.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a ‘Kaunteya’ (a son of Kuntī), affirming his capability to destroy Suyodhana (Duryodhana) along with his supporters. The statement functions as encouragement and moral framing: the opponent is characterized as fixed in evil intent, while the listener is praised as invincible even without trickery.