Shloka 23
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
तं च यज्ञ तथाभूतं दृष्टवा पार्थस्य मातुल । यथा शक्रस्य देवेषु तथाभूतं महाद्युते:
duryodhana uvāca — taṃ ca yajñaṃ tathābhūtaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārthasya mātula | yathā śakrasya deveṣu tathābhūtaṃ mahādyuteḥ ||
Duryodhana dijo: «Oh tío materno de Pārtha (Arjuna), al ver consumado con tal grandeza aquel sacrificio Rājasūya—como el sacrificio de Indra entre los dioses—(me consumo por dentro). Al contemplar el poderoso esplendor nacido del éxito de los Pāṇḍava, mi corazón arde de envidia día y noche.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy (īrṣyā) distorts judgment: instead of rejoicing in a kinsman’s success or recognizing merit, Duryodhana’s fixation on status and comparison turns prosperity into inner suffering, setting the stage for unethical choices.
After Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya is completed with great splendour, Duryodhana speaks to Śakuni, comparing the sacrifice to Indra’s among the gods. His words reveal intense jealousy at the Pāṇḍavas’ rising power and prestige.