Shloka 246
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
विदीर्यमाणो व्रीडावान् जगाम नगर प्रति । वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! पाण्डुनन्दन युधिष्ठिरकी आज्ञा पाकर राजा दुर्योधनने उन धर्मपुत्र अजातशत्रुको प्रणाम करके अपने नगरकी ओर प्रस्थान किया। उस समय जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ काम न देती हों उस रोगीकी भाँति उसका हृदय व्यथासे विदीर्ण हो रहा था। उसे अपने कुकृत्यपर बड़ी लज्जा हो रही थी,इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि घोषयात्रापर्वणि दुर्योधनमो क्षणे षट्चत्वारिंशदधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: इस प्रकार श्रीमह्ाभारत वनपवके अन्तर्गत घोषयात्रापर्वमें दुर्योधनको छुड़ानेसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला दो सौ छियालीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
vidīryamāṇo vrīḍāvān jagāma nagara prati |
Vaiśampāyana said: Overcome with shame and inwardly torn by anguish, he set out toward his city. Having received Yudhiṣṭhira’s command and paid homage to that righteous, foe-unconquered king, Duryodhana departed for his own capital—his heart splitting with pain like that of a sick man whose senses no longer function, and his mind burning with embarrassment at his own wrongdoing.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wrongdoing (kukṛtya) carries an inner penalty: even when outward danger passes, the mind can be ‘torn’ by shame and moral discomfort. The verse highlights how adharma produces psychological suffering and loss of dignity, functioning as an ethical consequence.
After being freed and receiving Yudhiṣṭhira’s permission/command, Duryodhana bows to Yudhiṣṭhira and leaves for his own city. The narrator emphasizes Duryodhana’s inner state—his heart is distressed and he feels deep shame as he departs.