Shloka 10
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
उसे जलमें गिरा देख महाबली भीमसेन हँसने लगे। उनके सेवकोंने भी दुर्योधनकी हँसी उड़ायी तथा राजाज्ञासे उन्होंने दुर्योधनको सुन्दर वस्त्र दिये। दुर्योधनकी यह दुरवस्था देख महाबली भीमसेन, अर्जुन और नकुल-सहदेव सभी उस समय जोर-जोरसे हँसने लगे। दुर्योधन स्वभावसे ही अमर्षशील था; अत: वह उनका उपहास न सह सका ।। आकार रक्षमाणस्तु न स तान् समुदैक्षत । पुनर्वसनमुत्त्षिप्य प्रतरिष्यन्निव स्थलम्,वह अपने चेहरेके भावको छिपाये रखनेके लिये उनकी ओर दृष्टि नहीं डालता था। फिर स्थलमें ही जलका भ्रम हो जानेसे वह कपड़े उठाकर इस प्रकार चलने लगा; मानो तैरनेकी तैयारी कर रहा हो
ākāraṁ rakṣamāṇas tu na sa tān samudaikṣata | punar-vasanam utksipya pratarīṣyann iva sthalam ||
Trying to conceal the expression on his face, he did not look toward them. Then, mistaking the dry ground for water once again, he lifted up his garment and moved as if preparing to swim—an image that further exposed his humiliation amid the others’ laughter.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode highlights how public ridicule and wounded pride can harden into lasting resentment. Ethically, it cautions against derision—especially in positions of power—because humiliation can become a seed of hostility and adharma, escalating personal injury into collective conflict.
After being embarrassed in the hall (through misperceiving water and land), Duryodhana tries to hide his expression and avoids looking at the Pāṇḍavas. Still confused, he lifts his garment and walks as though he is about to swim on dry ground, which intensifies the mockery around him.