Shloka 28
Bhīṣma’s Admonition; Duryodhana’s Rājasūya Aspiration and the Proposal of a Vaiṣṇava-satra
न चेतयति वो राजा मन्दबुद्धि: सुयोधन: । योअस्मानाज्ञापयत्येवं वैश्यानिव दिवौकस:
na cetayati vo rājā mandabuddhiḥ suyodhanaḥ | yo 'smān ājñāpayaty evaṃ vaiśyān iva divaukasaḥ ||
« Votre roi Suyodhana, à l’esprit obtus, ne réfléchit point : lui qui nous donne des ordres de la sorte, comme si nous n’étions que de simples vaiśyas, alors que nous sommes des habitants du ciel. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler who lacks discernment and humility misuses authority—issuing degrading commands and ignoring the dignity of others—thereby undermining righteous kingship (dharma) and inviting conflict.
Vaiśampāyana characterizes Suyodhana (Duryodhana) as unreflective and arrogant, describing how he presumptuously orders “us” about as if they were low-status subjects, despite their being divaukasaḥ (celestial beings).