Shloka 50
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
अयोनिजास्त्रयो होते पिता माता च मातुलः
ayonijāstrayo hote pitā mātā ca mātulaḥ | mahārāja! abhāśvṛtthāmāke ye pitā, mātā aura māmā trayo hi ayonijāḥ | aśvatthāmāpi śūravīra evaṃ mama pakṣe sthitaḥ | rājan! ete sarve yoddhā devatāsama-parākramā mahārathinaḥ ||
Duryodhana déclara : «Ô grand roi, trois de mes plus sûrs soutiens — père, mère et oncle maternel — sont d’une naissance extraordinaire (non issus d’un ventre). Et Aśvatthāmā aussi est un héros éprouvé, rangé de mon côté. Ô roi, tous ces guerriers sont vaillants comme les dieux et sont de grands combattants de char.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how claims of extraordinary birth and martial excellence are used to bolster political confidence; ethically, it hints at the danger of equating power and pedigree with righteousness (dharma), a recurring tension in the Mahābhārata.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana is asserting the strength of his coalition, highlighting exceptional allies (including Aśvatthāmā) to reassure the king and reinforce his resolve for conflict.