Shloka 5
राजन् परिणतप्रज्ञो वृद्धसेवी जितेन्द्रिय: । प्रतिपन्नान् स्वकार्येषु सम्मोहयसि नो भृूशम्,राजन्! आपकी बुद्धि परिपक्व है, आप वृद्ध पुरुषोंकी सेवा करते रहते हैं, आपने अपनी इन्द्रियोंपर विजय पा ली है, तो भी जब हमलोग अपने कार्योंमें तत्पर होते हैं, उस समय आप हमें बार-बार मोहमें ही डाल देते हैं
rājan pariṇataprajño vṛddhasevī jitendriyaḥ | pratipannān svakāryeṣu sammohayasi no bhṛśam ||
Duryodhana sprach: „O König, dein Verstand ist gereift; du dienst den Ältesten mit Hingabe und hast deine Sinne bezwungen. Und doch stürzt du uns, wenn wir auf unsere eigenen Ziele ausgerichtet sind, immer wieder in tiefe Verwirrung.“
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension in political counsel: even a ruler praised for mature wisdom, reverence for elders, and self-control can be accused of causing ‘moha’ when his guidance obstructs others’ ambitions. It implicitly contrasts ethical restraint and deference to dharma with the impatience of those driven by self-interest.
In the Sabha Parva context, Duryodhana addresses King Dhṛtarāṣṭra with pointed irony—acknowledging the king’s virtues while complaining that Dhṛtarāṣṭra repeatedly discourages or confuses the Kauravas when they are intent on pursuing their plans. The line reflects Duryodhana’s frustration at perceived hesitation and moral scruples interfering with his political aims.