Shloka 10
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
ते त॑ हदे समासाद्य यत्र शेते जनाधिप:
te taḍe samāsādya yatra śete janādhipaḥ | jitvā vā pṛthivīṁ bhuṅkṣva hato vā svargam āptu hi ||
Sañjaya said: Reaching the bank of the lake where the king lay hidden, they addressed that hard-to-conquer ruler who was resting in the waters: “O King, rise and come with us to fight Yudhiṣṭhira. If you win, enjoy sovereignty over the earth; if you fall, you will attain heaven.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a kṣatriya’s stark ethical choice in war: rise to meet the rightful challenge—victory brings earthly sovereignty, while death in battle is presented as a path to svarga. It emphasizes courage, duty, and acceptance of consequences.
Sañjaya narrates how the warriors reach the lake where Duryodhana is hiding/resting in the water and urge him to come out and fight Yudhiṣṭhira, promising either kingship if he wins or heaven if he dies.