Shloka 503
मूर्थ्नि स्थितममित्राणां को नु स्वन्ततरो मया । दुर्योधनने कहा--मैंने विधिपूर्वक अध्ययन किया, दान दिये, समुद्रोंसहित पृथ्वीका शासन किया और शत्रुओंके मस्तकपर पैर रखकर मैं खड़ा रहा। मेरे समान उत्तम अन्त (परिणाम) किसका हुआ है?
mūrdhni sthitam amitrāṇāṁ ko nu svantataro mayā |
Duryodhana said: “I have stood with my foot upon the heads of my enemies. Who, indeed, has met an end more fortunate than mine?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral blindness of pride: Duryodhana equates ‘a good end’ with having dominated enemies, whereas the epic’s ethical frame treats true auspiciousness as alignment with dharma, humility, and right conduct.
In Shalya Parva’s closing movement, Duryodhana reflects on his life and fate. Even as defeat and death approach, he asserts his superiority by recalling his triumphs over foes, presenting his downfall as a ‘fortunate end’ because he once stood over enemies.