Shloka 22
अथ दुर्योधनो राजा सात्यकि समभाषत | प्रियं सखायं सतत गर्हयन् वृत्तमात्मन:,तदनन्तर राजा दुर्योधनने अपने बर्तावकी निरन्तर निन्दा करते हुए वहाँ अपने प्रिय सखा सात्यकिसे इस प्रकार कहा--
atha duryodhano rājā sātyaki samabhāṣata | priyaṃ sakhāyaṃ satataṃ garhayan vṛttam ātmanaḥ ||
Daraufhin wandte sich König Duryodhana an Sātyaki. Während er fortwährend sein eigenes Verhalten tadelte, sprach er in dieser Weise zu seinem lieben Freund—und ließ einen Moment der Selbstanklage inmitten des Drucks von Krieg und Königtum erkennen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, a ruler’s inner moral awareness can surface as self-critique. The verse highlights the ethical tension between one’s chosen actions (vṛtta) and one’s conscience, suggesting that recognition of wrongdoing is a significant—though not always transformative—moment in moral life.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana turns to address Sātyaki, calling him a dear friend, and speaks while repeatedly condemning his own behavior. The line functions as a narrative transition into Duryodhana’s ensuing speech, framed by regret or self-blame.