Shloka 37
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
(अप्राप्य पाण्डवैश्वर्य शमो मम न विद्यते । अवाप्स्ये वा रणं बाणै: शयिष्ये वा हत: परै: ।।
duryodhana uvāca |
aprāpya pāṇḍavaiśvaryaṃ śamo mama na vidyate |
avāpsye vā raṇaṃ bāṇaiḥ śayiṣye vā hataḥ paraiḥ ||
etādṛśasya me kiṃ nu jīvitena paraṃtapa |
vardhante pāṇḍavā rājan vayaṃ hi sthitavṛddhayaḥ ||
Duryodhana sprach: „Wenn ich die Herrschaft und den Glanz, die den Pāṇḍavas gehören, nicht erlange, wird es für mich keinen Frieden geben. Entweder gewinne ich sie auf dem Schlachtfeld mit meinen Pfeilen, oder, von Feinden erschlagen, werde ich dort für immer liegen. O Bezwinger der Gegner, wozu taugt mir das Leben in solcher Lage? Die Pāṇḍavas werden von Tag zu Tag mächtiger, während unser eigener Aufstieg zum Stillstand gekommen ist.“
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy and fixation on another’s prosperity destroy inner peace: Duryodhana declares he cannot be calm unless he possesses the Pāṇḍavas’ royal fortune, even preferring death in battle to living without it. Ethically, it illustrates the adharma of covetousness and the self-destructive logic that fuels unjust conflict.
After witnessing the Pāṇḍavas’ grandeur, Duryodhana confesses his agitation and resolves either to seize their power through war or die trying. This emotional crisis sets the stage for counsel and plotting (notably Shakuni’s forthcoming strategy) that will lead toward the infamous gambling scheme and escalating hostility.