Shloka 5
अध्याय ८७: कृष्णस्य हस्तिनापुरप्रवेशः
Krishna’s Entry into Hastināpura and Court Reception
स हि पूज्यतमो लोके कृष्ण: पृुथुललोचन: । त्रयाणामपि लोकानां विदितं मम सर्वथा,विशाल नेत्रोंवाले श्रीकृष्ण इस लोकमें ही नहीं, तीनों लोकोंमें सबसे श्रेष्ठ होनेके कारण परम पूजनीय पुरुष हैं, यह बात मुझे सब प्रकारसे विदित है
sa hi pūjyatamo loke kṛṣṇaḥ pṛthulalocanaḥ | trayāṇām api lokānāṃ viditaṃ mama sarvathā ||
For Kṛṣṇa, the wide-eyed one, is indeed the most worthy of honor in this world; and that he is revered as foremost even across the three worlds—this is fully known to me in every way.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even an adversary may recognize true greatness: Duryodhana admits Kṛṣṇa’s supreme worthiness of honor in the world and beyond. The ethical tension lies in knowing what is right and venerable, yet still moving toward choices driven by pride and attachment.
In Udyoga Parva, as negotiations and preparations for the Kurukṣetra war intensify, Duryodhana speaks about Kṛṣṇa. He openly acknowledges Kṛṣṇa’s exalted status—an important narrative marker showing that the coming conflict is not due to ignorance of Kṛṣṇa’s stature, but despite that recognition.