Shloka 7
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry and Sañjaya’s Etymologies of Kṛṣṇa’s Names
Puruṣottama-nāma-nirvacana
दुर्योधन उवाच भगवान् देवकीपुत्रो लोकांभश्रैन्निहनिष्यति । प्रवदन्नर्जुने सख्यं नाहं गच्छेडद्य केशवम्
duryodhana uvāca | bhagavān devakīputro lokān abhyāśraiḥ nihaniṣyati | pravadann arjune sakhyaṃ nāhaṃ gacched adya keśavam ||
Duryodhana sprach: «Vater! Selbst wenn Keśava, Devakīs Sohn, wahrhaft der Erhabene ist und nach Belieben die Welten vernichten kann, so verkündet er doch Freundschaft mit Arjuna. Darum werde ich heute nicht zu Keśava gehen, um Zuflucht zu suchen.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ego and political resentment can override even the recognition of divine power. Duryodhana admits Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy yet rejects seeking his protection because Kṛṣṇa stands as Arjuna’s friend—showing how attachment to rivalry can block wise counsel and dharmic reconciliation.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Duryodhana reacts to Kṛṣṇa’s alignment with the Pāṇḍavas (especially Arjuna). Though he concedes Kṛṣṇa’s godhood and cosmic might, he refuses to approach Kṛṣṇa for refuge or support, hardening his stance as war becomes inevitable.