Shloka 12
Udyoga Parva 21 — Bhīṣma’s Conciliatory Counsel, Karṇa’s Rebuttal, and Dhṛtarāṣṭra Sends Sañjaya (भीष्म-कर्ण-विवादः; संजय-प्रेषणम्)
दुर्योधनो भयाद् विद्वन् न दद्यात् पादमन्तत: । धर्मतस्तु महीं कृत्स्नां प्रदद्याच्छत्रवेडषपि च,“विद्वन! दुर्योधन किसीके भयसे अपने राज्यका आधा कौन कहे चौथाई भाग भी नहीं देंगे; परंतु धर्मानुसार तो वे शत्रुको भी समूची पृथ्वीतक दे सकते हैं
duryodhano bhayād vidvan na dadyāt pādam antataḥ | dharmatas tu mahīṁ kṛtsnāṁ pradadyāc chatraveṣv api ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô savant, par crainte Duryodhana ne donnerait pas même un quart—non, pas même un empan de terre—du royaume. Pourtant, s’il agissait selon le dharma, il pourrait offrir la terre entière, fût-ce à un ennemi.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fear-driven attachment makes a ruler incapable of even minimal concession, whereas dharma demands impartial justice and the capacity to relinquish even vast possessions—so ethical action is measured not by power but by willingness to act rightly, even toward an enemy.
In the war-preparation context, Vaiśampāyana characterizes Duryodhana’s stance: he will not yield even a small share of the kingdom out of fear and obstinacy, contrasting this with the ideal of dharmic conduct that could allow even total restitution or generosity, even toward foes.