Shloka 13
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
इति दुर्योधनामात्या: क्रोशन्तो राजगृद्धिन: । आर्ता दीनास्तत: सर्वे युधिष्ठिरमुपागमन्,राजाको हृदयसे चाहनेवाले दुर्योधनके सब मन्त्री आर्त एवं दीन होकर उपर्युक्त बातें जोर-जोरसे कहते हुए युधिष्ठिरके समीप गये
iti duryodhanāmātyāḥ krośanto rājagṛddhinaḥ | ārtā dīnāstataḥ sarve yudhiṣṭhiramupāgaman ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus Duryodhana’s ministers—crying out loudly, greedy for royal power—came to Yudhiṣṭhira. Distressed and humbled, they approached him while proclaiming those words.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical contrast between craving for power (rāja-gṛddhi) and the humbling force of distress. It suggests that political ambition can lead to moral instability, while suffering can compel even adversarial parties to seek help from a dharma-oriented figure like Yudhiṣṭhira.
After certain statements have been made (iti), Duryodhana’s ministers, shouting and agitated, come to Yudhiṣṭhira. Their approach—described as distressed and dejected—signals a shift where Kaurava officials seek engagement or assistance from Yudhiṣṭhira.