Shloka 113
Dvaipāyana-hrade Duryodhanasya Māyā — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharmoktiḥ (Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 30)
जित्वा वा पृथिवीं भुड्क्ष्व हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्तुहि । जिसमें राजा दुर्योधन सो रहा था
jitvā vā pṛthivīṁ bhuṅkṣva hato vā svargam āptu hi |
Sañjaya said: “Either win and enjoy the earth, or, if slain, surely attain heaven.” Having reached the lake where King Duryodhana lay concealed in the waters, they addressed that formidable ruler who was resting there: “O King, rise and come with us to fight Yudhiṣṭhira—conquer and rule the earth, or fall in battle and gain the heavenly world.” The appeal frames combat as a kṣatriya’s stark moral choice: worldly sovereignty through victory, or meritorious ascent through death in righteous battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse expresses the kṣatriya ideal of resolute duty in war: one should either win rightful sovereignty through valor or, if killed while fighting, attain heaven—presenting courage and commitment to one’s role as a moral imperative.
Duryodhana is hiding/resting in a lake after the devastation of the war. Others reach the lake and urge him to rise and face Yudhiṣṭhira in battle, framing the coming confrontation as a final, honor-bound choice between kingship and a warrior’s death.