Shloka 5
कर्णेन युधिष्ठिरानीकविदारणम् / Karṇa’s Breach of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Battle-Line
त्वत्प्रसादाज्जगत् सर्व सुखमैथधत मानद । शरण्यस्त्वं हि लोकेश ते वयं शरणं गता:,“मानद! आपके प्रसादसे सम्पूर्ण जगत् सुखपूर्वक उन्नति करता आया है, लोकेश्वर! आप ही आश्रयदाता हैं; इसलिये हम आपकी शरणमें आये हैं!
tvatprasādāj jagat sarvaṃ sukham aidhata mānada | śaraṇyas tvaṃ hi lokeśa te vayaṃ śaraṇaṃ gatāḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “By your favor, the whole world has prospered and advanced in happiness, O bestower of honor. You are indeed the refuge of the world, O lord of the people; therefore we have come to you for shelter.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the political-ethical language of dependence: a ruler or powerful protector is praised as the source of prosperity and as a refuge. It shows how appeals to “grace” and “shelter” function to secure protection and alliance, raising questions about loyalty, obligation, and the moral weight of seeking refuge in a war setting.
Duryodhana addresses a powerful figure as “lord of the world” and “worthy refuge,” asserting that the world has flourished through that person’s favor. On that basis he declares that he and his side have come seeking protection—an act of supplication meant to strengthen support in the unfolding conflict.