Shloka 87
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
कलेरंशस्तु संजज्ञे भुवि दुर्योधनो नृप: । दुर्बृद्धिर्दुर्मतिश्वैव कुरूणामयशस्कर:,खोटी बुद्धि और दूषित विचारवाले कुरुकुलकलंक राजा दुर्योधनके रूपमें इस पृथ्वीपर कलिका अंश ही उत्पन्न हुआ था
kaler aṁśas tu saṁjajñe bhuvi duryodhano nṛpaḥ | durbuddhir durmatiś caiva kurūṇām ayaśaskaraḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: Auf Erden wurde König Duryodhana als ein Anteil des Kali selbst geboren—mit verkehrtem Verstand und verderbter Absicht—und brachte Schande über das Kuru‑Geschlecht.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that moral corruption in leadership—bad judgment (durbuddhi) and distorted intention (durmati)—does not remain private; it becomes socially contagious and brings collective dishonor (ayaśas) upon an entire lineage. By calling Duryodhana a portion of Kali, the text highlights how adharma can manifest through individuals and institutions.
Vaiśampāyana characterizes Duryodhana’s birth and nature, presenting him as an embodiment of Kali’s influence on earth. This functions as a narrative foreshadowing: his inner disposition will become a primary cause of conflict and the Kuru family’s loss of reputation.