Shloka 3
दुर्योधनस्य प्रायोपवेशः — शकुनिसान्त्वनम् तथा कृत्याह्वानम्
Duryodhana’s Fast: Śakuni’s Consolation and the Summoning of a Kṛtyā
परिदेवति तान् वीरान् धृतराष्ट्रो महीपति: । मन्यते< भ्यधिकांश्वापि तपोयोगेन पाण्डवान्,“महाराज धृतराष्ट्र उन वीर पाण्डवोंके लिये सदा विलाप करते रहते हैं। वे तपःशक्तिके संयोगसे पाण्डवोंको हमसे अधिक बलशाली भी मानते हैं
paridevati tān vīrān dhṛtarāṣṭro mahīpatiḥ | manyate 'bhyadhikāṁś cāpi tapoyogena pāṇḍavān ||
“King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of the earth, continually laments for those heroic Pāṇḍavas. He even deems the Pāṇḍavas superior to our side, believing their strength is augmented by the power born of austerity and yoga.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that inner discipline—tapas and yoga—can be regarded as a real source of strength and legitimacy. Even a king focused on worldly power recognizes that ethical-spiritual force may surpass conventional might.
Vaiśampāyana reports Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s ongoing sorrow for the Pāṇḍavas and his assessment that they are stronger than his own party because their power is reinforced by austerity and spiritual practice.