Shloka 18
अध्याय ८ — शल्यस्य सत्कारः, वरदानं, पाण्डवसमागमश्च (Śalya’s Reception, the Boon, and Meeting the Pāṇḍavas)
दुर्योधन उवाच सत्यवाग् भव कल्याण वरो वै मम दीयताम् | सर्वसेनाप्रणेता वै भवान् भवितुमहति
duryodhana uvāca satyavāg bhava kalyāṇa varo vai mama dīyatām | sarvasenāpraṇetā vai bhavān bhavitum arhati ||
দুর্যোধন বলল—“কল্যাণময় মহামান্য! আপনার বাক্য সত্য হোক; আমাকে অবশ্যই বর দিন। আপনি-ই আমার সমগ্র সেনার নেতা ও অধিনায়ক হওয়ার যোগ্য।”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of power in a dharmic crisis often takes the form of seeking authoritative command; ethically, it invites reflection on whether leadership is sought for righteous protection or for domination in an impending war.
Duryodhana addresses an honored person and requests a boon: that the addressee accept the role of supreme commander over Duryodhana’s entire army, signaling strategic preparations for the coming conflict.