Shloka 42
Karṇa’s advance against the Pāṇḍava host; Arjuna’s clash with the Saṃśaptakas (कर्णस्य पाण्डवसेनाप्रवेशः—अर्जुनस्य संशप्तकसंप्रहारः)
असुरा हि दुरात्मान: सर्व एव सुरद्विष: । अपराध्यन्ति सतत ये युष्मान् पीडयन्त्युत,तप उग्र॑ समास्थाय नियमे परमे स्थिता: । उस समय देवताओंने दैत्योंको परास्त कर दिया था, यह हमारे सुननेमें आया है। राजन! दैत्योंके परास्त हो जानेपर तारकासुरके तीन पुत्र ताराक्ष, कमलाक्ष और विद्युन्माली उग्र तपस्याका आश्रय ले उत्तम नियमोंका पालन करने लगे “वे समस्त देवद्रोही दुरात्मा असुर, जो सदा तुम्हें पीड़ा देते रहते हैं, निश्चय ही मेरा भी महान् अपराध करते हैं
asurā hi durātmānaḥ sarva eva suradviṣaḥ | aparādhyanti satataṃ ye yuṣmān pīḍayanty uta | tapa ugraṃ samāsthāya niyame parame sthitāḥ |
Duryodhana said: “For those Asuras are indeed wicked-souled, every one of them hostile to the gods. Those who continually harass you are, in truth, ever committing an offence.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts outward ascetic discipline (ugra-tapas, niyama) with inner ethical quality: even if one practices severe austerities, a hostile and harmful intent—tormenting others and opposing the divine order—remains a moral offence (aparādha).
Duryodhana characterizes certain opponents as wicked Asuras who hate the gods and continually cause suffering; he notes that they undertake fierce austerities and strict observances, framing their conduct as persistent wrongdoing despite their disciplined practices.