Shloka 31
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
आधिराज्यं महद् दीप्तं प्रथितं मधुसूदन । आहतं येन वीर्येण कुरूणां सर्वराजसु
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ādhirājyaṃ mahad dīptaṃ prathitaṃ madhusūdana |
āhataṃ yena vīryeṇa kurūṇāṃ sarvarājasu ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Oh Madhusūdana, este vasto y radiante dominio imperial de los Kurus—renombrado entre todos los reyes—ha sido conquistado y hecho ilustre por la propia proeza de Arjuna. Él es el pilar en que se apoyan todos los Pāṇḍavas: el primero entre los guerreros de carro, verdaderamente valiente; ante él nadie entra en batalla y vuelve con vida. Victorioso, inconquistable, capaz de someter a todos los seres; y así como Indra es refugio de los dioses, él es el sostén de todos los Pāṇḍavas. ¿Cómo está ahora ese Arjuna—tu hermano y tu amigo?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames political sovereignty as resting on personal virtue and disciplined prowess: legitimate fame and imperial power are portrayed as outcomes of vīrya (heroic excellence) exercised in service of one’s allies. It also highlights ethical responsibility—when a community depends on a single champion, his welfare becomes a matter of collective dharma and concern.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy and preparations, the speaker (as narrated by Vaiśampāyana) emphasizes Arjuna’s decisive role in establishing the Kurus’ imperial renown and his function as the Pāṇḍavas’ main support, then asks Kṛṣṇa about Arjuna’s present condition—underscoring both Arjuna’s stature and the urgency of the moment.