Shloka 39
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
अन्तरेणापि कौन्तेय निकृतिं पापनिश्चयम् । हन्ता त्वमसि दुर्धर्ष सानुबन्धं सुयोधनम्,“कुन्तीनन्दन! तुम दुर्धर्ष वीर हो, छल-कपटका आश्रय लिये बिना भी पापपूर्ण विचार रखनेवाले सुयोधनको सगे-सम्बन्धियोंसहित नष्ट कर सकते हो”
antareṇāpi kaunteya nikṛtiṁ pāpaniścayam | hantā tvam asi durdharṣa sānubandhaṁ suyodhanam ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Sohn der Kuntī, selbst ohne zur List zu greifen, bist du—ein unbezwingbarer Held—imstande, Suyodhana zu erschlagen, dessen Entschluss auf sündhafte Absicht gerichtet ist, samt allen, die an ihn gebunden sind.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts righteous strength with unethical means: a truly formidable hero need not rely on deceit to overcome an adversary whose intentions are sinful. It implies that moral clarity and legitimate prowess are sufficient, and that treachery is not a necessary instrument of victory.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a ‘Kaunteya’ (a son of Kuntī), affirming his capability to destroy Suyodhana (Duryodhana) along with his supporters. The statement functions as encouragement and moral framing: the opponent is characterized as fixed in evil intent, while the listener is praised as invincible even without trickery.