Shloka 10
Saubha-nipātana: Kṛṣṇa’s Counter to Śālva’s Māyā
Book 3, Chapter 23
धिग् धार्त॑राष्ट्रं सुनृशंसबुद्धि धिक् सौबलं पापमतिं च कर्णम् । अनर्थमिच्छन्ति नरेन्द्र पापा ये धर्मनित्यस्य सतस्तवैवम्,“'क्रूरबुद्धि धृतराष्ट्रपुत्र दुर्योधनको धिक्कार है। सुबलपुत्र शकुनि तथा पापपूर्ण विचार रखनेवाले कर्णको भी धिक््कार है, जो पापी सदा धर्ममें तत्पर रहनेवाले आपका इस प्रकार अनर्थ करना चाहते हैं
dhig dhārtarāṣṭraṃ sunṛśaṃsabuddhi dhig saubalaṃ pāpamatim ca karṇam | anartham icchanti narendra pāpā ye dharmanityasya satastavaivam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Shame upon the Kaurava (Duryodhana), whose mind is steeped in cruelty; shame upon Śakuni, son of Subala; and shame upon Karṇa, whose intentions are sinful. Those wicked men, O king, desire your ruin—though you are steadfast in dharma and truly virtuous.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts steadfastness in dharma with the deliberate malice of the wicked: cruelty and sinful intent seek to destroy the righteous, and such intent is morally blameworthy and worthy of censure.
Vaiśampāyana, while recounting events, denounces Duryodhana, Śakuni, and Karṇa, stating that these men wish calamity for the addressed king—despite his being devoted to dharma—thereby highlighting the injustice and hostility driving the conflict.