Shloka 38
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 114 — Karṇa–Bhīmasena Missile Exchange, Disarmament, and Arjuna’s Intervention
एतद् दुर्योधनो लब्ध्वा समग्र राजमण्डलम्,कृतार्थमथ चात्मानं मन््यते कालचोदित: । “कालसे प्रेरित हुआ दुर्योधन इन समस्त राजाओंके समुदायको तथा रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रोणाचार्य, कृपाचार्य, भूरिश्रवा, जयद्रथ और कर्णको पाकर पाण्डवोंका अपमान करता है तथा अपने-आपको कृतार्थ मान रहा है
etad duryodhano labdhvā samagra-rājamāṇḍalam | kṛtārtham atha cātmānaṁ manyate kālacoditaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Having thus obtained the entire circle of kings, Duryodhana—driven on by Time—now deems himself successful and fulfilled. In this confidence, he looks down upon the Pāṇḍavas, taking the gathered might of his allies as proof of his own accomplishment, even as the moral weight of his choices continues to ripen toward inevitable consequence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how success measured by power and alliances can breed pride, while 'kāla' (Time) drives events toward consequences. Ethically, it warns that self-satisfaction rooted in domination and contempt for others is unstable and tends toward downfall, regardless of temporary advantage.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, seeing the full coalition of kings on his side, feels his aims are achieved. He becomes overconfident, interpreting the amassed support as confirmation of victory and treating the Pāṇḍavas with disdain.