Shloka 3
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
स कदाचित् सभामध्ये धार्तराष्ट्री महीपति: । स्फाटिकं स्थलमासाद्य जलमित्यभिशड्कया
sa kadācit sabhāmadhye dhārtarāṣṭrī mahīpatiḥ | sphāṭikaṃ sthalam āsādya jalam ity abhiśaṅkayā |
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Einst, mitten in der königlichen Versammlungshalle, gelangte der Dhārtarāṣṭra-König (Duryodhana) zu einer Stelle, die mit Kristall ausgelegt war. In der Sorge, es sei Wasser, hob er sein Gewand an. Diese kleine Verwechslung—aus Verblendung geboren—wurde zu einem Augenblick der Demütigung.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A moment of misperception becomes morally significant when pride turns embarrassment into resentment. The episode illustrates how moha (delusion) and māna (conceit) can distort judgment and plant the seeds of adharma-driven hostility.
Duryodhana, walking in the splendid assembly hall, reaches a crystal-paved area and mistakes it for water. Thinking he might step into water, he lifts his garment—only to realize it is solid ground—resulting in humiliation within the courtly setting.