Shloka 24
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
वैशम्पायन उवाच पाण्डवेनाभ्यनुज्ञातो राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा । प्रणम्य धर्मपुत्रं तु गतेन्द्रिय इवातुर:
vaiśampāyana uvāca pāṇḍavenābhyanujñāto rājā duryodhanas tadā | praṇamya dharmaputraṃ tu gatendriya ivāturaḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces el rey Duryodhana, habiendo recibido el permiso del Pāṇḍava, se inclinó ante Dharmaputra. Afligido, se marchó como si sus sentidos lo hubieran abandonado—su orgullo, refrenado por la misma cortesía que había pretendido explotar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid hostility, dharmic conduct is shown through restraint and proper courtesy: Yudhiṣṭhira grants leave, and Duryodhana—though inwardly tormented—must acknowledge that moral authority through a bow. The verse highlights how ethical composure can unsettle arrogance more than open confrontation.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Duryodhana, having been allowed by the Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira) to depart, bows to him and leaves in visible distress, described as if his senses had failed—suggesting shock, frustration, or humiliation at the turn of events.