Shloka 42
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
असुरा हि दुरात्मान: सर्व एव सुरद्विष: । अपराध्यन्ति सतत ये युष्मान् पीडयन्त्युत
asurā hi durātmānaḥ sarva eva suradviṣaḥ | aparādhyanti satataṃ ye yuṣmān pīḍayanty uta | tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
„Denn jene Asuras sind wahrlich von böser Seele, allesamt Feinde der Götter. Wer euch unablässig bedrängt, begeht in Wahrheit fortwährend eine Verfehlung.“
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts outward ascetic discipline (ugra-tapas, niyama) with inner ethical quality: even if one practices severe austerities, a hostile and harmful intent—tormenting others and opposing the divine order—remains a moral offence (aparādha).
Duryodhana characterizes certain opponents as wicked Asuras who hate the gods and continually cause suffering; he notes that they undertake fierce austerities and strict observances, framing their conduct as persistent wrongdoing despite their disciplined practices.