Shloka 14

Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)

Devanagari script

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आश्वमेधिकपववके अन्तर्गत अश्वमेधपर्वमें चौदहवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Transliteration

dharmeṇa rājñā dharmajña prāptaṃ rājyam akaṇṭakam | dharmeṇa nihataḥ saṅkhye sa ca rājā suyodhanaḥ ||

Translation

O knower of dharma, by dharma the king has obtained an untroubled, obstacle-free kingdom. And by dharma, in the press of battle, that king Suyodhana (Duryodhana) too was slain. Thus the narrative underscores that righteous conduct both establishes rightful rule and brings the downfall of those who oppose it in adharma.

Word by Word

• {'dharmeṇa': 'by dharma

• through righteousness, lawful and moral order', 'rājñā': 'by the king', 'dharmajña': 'knower of dharma

• one skilled in righteousness and duty (vocative)', 'prāptam': 'obtained

• attained', 'rājyam': 'kingdom

• sovereignty', 'akaṇṭakam': 'without thorns

• free from obstacles, troubles, or hostile claimants', 'nihataḥ': 'slain

• killed', 'saṅkhye': 'in battle

• in the clash of armies', 'sa': 'he

• that one', 'ca': 'and', 'rājā': 'king', 'suyodhanaḥ': "Suyodhana, i.e., Duryodhana (epithet meaning 'one who fights well')"}

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Suyodhana (Duryodhana)
• kingdom (rājya)
• battle (saṅkhya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse asserts moral causality in political life: dharma is the true basis of legitimate, stable sovereignty, and it is also the force by which adharma-driven power is ultimately destroyed—even on the battlefield.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśaṃpāyana summarizes the outcome after the great war: Yudhiṣṭhira has gained an unopposed kingdom, and Duryodhana (Suyodhana) has been killed in battle—both outcomes framed explicitly as results of dharma.