Shloka 7
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry and Sañjaya’s Etymologies of Kṛṣṇa’s Names
Puruṣottama-nāma-nirvacana
दुर्योधन उवाच भगवान् देवकीपुत्रो लोकांभश्रैन्निहनिष्यति । प्रवदन्नर्जुने सख्यं नाहं गच्छेडद्य केशवम्,दुर्योधन बोला--पिताजी! माना कि देवकीनन्दन श्रीकृष्ण साक्षात् भगवान् हैं और वे इच्छा करते ही सम्पूर्ण लोकोंका संहार कर डालेंगे, तथापि वे अपनेको अर्जुनका मित्र बताते हैं; अतः अब मैं उनकी शरणमें नहीं जाऊँगा
duryodhana uvāca | bhagavān devakīputro lokān abhyāśraiḥ nihaniṣyati | pravadann arjune sakhyaṃ nāhaṃ gacched adya keśavam ||
Duryodhana said: “Father, even if Keśava, Devakī’s son, is truly the Blessed Lord and can, at will, destroy the worlds, still he proclaims friendship with Arjuna. Therefore, today I will not go to Keśava for refuge.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ego and political resentment can override even the recognition of divine power. Duryodhana admits Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy yet rejects seeking his protection because Kṛṣṇa stands as Arjuna’s friend—showing how attachment to rivalry can block wise counsel and dharmic reconciliation.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Duryodhana reacts to Kṛṣṇa’s alignment with the Pāṇḍavas (especially Arjuna). Though he concedes Kṛṣṇa’s godhood and cosmic might, he refuses to approach Kṛṣṇa for refuge or support, hardening his stance as war becomes inevitable.