Shloka 31
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
आधिराज्यं महद् दीप्तं प्रथितं मधुसूदन । आहतं येन वीर्येण कुरूणां सर्वराजसु
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ādhirājyaṃ mahad dīptaṃ prathitaṃ madhusūdana |
āhataṃ yena vīryeṇa kurūṇāṃ sarvarājasu ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন— হে মধুসূদন! কুরুবংশের এই মহৎ, দীপ্তিমান ও সর্বরাজাদের মধ্যে প্রসিদ্ধ সাম্রাজ্য—অর্জুনেরই বীর্যে অর্জিত ও উজ্জ্বল হয়েছে।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames political sovereignty as resting on personal virtue and disciplined prowess: legitimate fame and imperial power are portrayed as outcomes of vīrya (heroic excellence) exercised in service of one’s allies. It also highlights ethical responsibility—when a community depends on a single champion, his welfare becomes a matter of collective dharma and concern.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy and preparations, the speaker (as narrated by Vaiśampāyana) emphasizes Arjuna’s decisive role in establishing the Kurus’ imperial renown and his function as the Pāṇḍavas’ main support, then asks Kṛṣṇa about Arjuna’s present condition—underscoring both Arjuna’s stature and the urgency of the moment.