Shloka 49
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
द्वौ करौ न प्रयच्छेतां कुन्तीपुत्राय भारत । सम्बन्धिकेन पञ्चाला: सख्येनान्धकवृष्णय:,भारत! कुन्तीनन्दन युधिष्ठिरको दो ही कुलके लोग कर नहीं देते थे। सम्बन्धके कारण पांचाल और मित्रताके कारण अन्धक एवं वृष्णि
dvau karau na prayacchetāṃ kuntīputrāya bhārata | sambandhikena pañcālāḥ sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “O Bhārata, two groups would not pay tribute to Kuntī’s son: the Pāñcālas, because of kinship ties, and the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, because of friendship.” In context, he casts political loyalty and personal bonds as obstacles to Yudhiṣṭhira’s imperial claim, implying that relationships can override formal obligations of submission.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political obligations like tribute are often constrained by human bonds—kinship and friendship can supersede formal submission. It also reveals Duryodhana’s tendency to interpret others’ loyalties as threats to Yudhiṣṭhira’s sovereignty, feeding rivalry and resentment.
Duryodhana is commenting on the extent of Yudhiṣṭhira’s authority and the limits of his imperial reach. He notes that certain groups refuse to pay tribute: the Pāñcālas due to family connection, and the Andhakas-Vṛṣṇis due to friendly alliance—implying that Yudhiṣṭhira’s dominance is not universal.