Shloka 45
अध्याय ४ — दुर्योधनस्य असंधि-निश्चयः
Duryodhana’s Refusal of Reconciliation
न जानीते हि य: श्रेय: श्रेयसश्चावमन्यते । सक्षिप्रं भ्रश्यते राज्यान्न च श्रेयोडनुविन्दते
na jānīte hi yaḥ śreyaḥ śreyasaś cāvamanyate | sa kṣipraṃ bhraśyate rājyān na ca śreyo 'nuvindate ||
Sañjaya dit : «Le roi qui ne comprend pas ce qui mène véritablement à son bien, et qui méprise ceux qui incarnent le bien supérieur, tombe vite de son royaume ; et jamais il n’atteint un bien-être durable.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s stability depends on recognizing śreyas (true welfare) and honoring the virtuous; contempt for what is genuinely good leads to rapid political collapse and blocks lasting well-being.
Sañjaya offers a moral observation within the war narrative, warning that a king who ignores beneficial guidance and insults superior, righteous persons soon loses his kingdom and fails to attain auspicious outcomes.