Shloka 37
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
(अप्राप्य पाण्डवैश्वर्य शमो मम न विद्यते । अवाप्स्ये वा रणं बाणै: शयिष्ये वा हत: परै: ।।
duryodhana uvāca |
aprāpya pāṇḍavaiśvaryaṃ śamo mama na vidyate |
avāpsye vā raṇaṃ bāṇaiḥ śayiṣye vā hataḥ paraiḥ ||
etādṛśasya me kiṃ nu jīvitena paraṃtapa |
vardhante pāṇḍavā rājan vayaṃ hi sthitavṛddhayaḥ ||
Dijo Duryodhana: «Si no obtengo la soberanía y el esplendor que pertenecen a los Pāṇḍavas, no habrá paz para mí. O lo conquistaré en el campo de batalla con mis flechas, o, abatido por los enemigos, yaceré allí para siempre. ¡Oh abrasador de adversarios!, ¿de qué me sirve la vida en tal estado? Los Pāṇḍavas crecen en poder día tras día, mientras nuestro propio progreso se ha detenido».
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy and fixation on another’s prosperity destroy inner peace: Duryodhana declares he cannot be calm unless he possesses the Pāṇḍavas’ royal fortune, even preferring death in battle to living without it. Ethically, it illustrates the adharma of covetousness and the self-destructive logic that fuels unjust conflict.
After witnessing the Pāṇḍavas’ grandeur, Duryodhana confesses his agitation and resolves either to seize their power through war or die trying. This emotional crisis sets the stage for counsel and plotting (notably Shakuni’s forthcoming strategy) that will lead toward the infamous gambling scheme and escalating hostility.