Shloka 49
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
द्वौ करौ न प्रयच्छेतां कुन्तीपुत्राय भारत । सम्बन्धिकेन पञ्चाला: सख्येनान्धकवृष्णय:
dvau karau na prayacchetāṃ kuntīputrāya bhārata | sambandhikena pañcālāḥ sakhyenāndhakavṛṣṇayaḥ ||
Duryodhana dit : « Ô Bhārata, deux groupes seulement ne versaient pas tribut au fils de Kuntī : les Pāñcālas, en raison des liens de parenté, et les Andhakas ainsi que les Vṛṣṇis, en raison de l’amitié. » Dans le contexte, il présente la loyauté politique et les attaches personnelles comme des obstacles à la prétention impériale de Yudhiṣṭhira, suggérant que les relations peuvent l’emporter sur l’obligation formelle de soumission.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political obligations like tribute are often constrained by human bonds—kinship and friendship can supersede formal submission. It also reveals Duryodhana’s tendency to interpret others’ loyalties as threats to Yudhiṣṭhira’s sovereignty, feeding rivalry and resentment.
Duryodhana is commenting on the extent of Yudhiṣṭhira’s authority and the limits of his imperial reach. He notes that certain groups refuse to pay tribute: the Pāñcālas due to family connection, and the Andhakas-Vṛṣṇis due to friendly alliance—implying that Yudhiṣṭhira’s dominance is not universal.