Shloka 27
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
हत्वाधर्मेण राजानं धर्मात्मानं सुयोधनम् | जिह्ययोधीति लोके5स्मिन् ख्यातिं यास्यति पाण्डव:
hatvādharmena rājānaṃ dharmātmānaṃ suyodhanam | jihyayodhīti loke 'smin khyātiṃ yāsyati pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Dengan membunuh Raja Suyodhana—yang disebut berhati dharma—melalui cara yang tidak dharmis, sang Pāṇḍava akan dikenal di dunia ini sebagai pejuang yang bertarung dengan tipu daya.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of means in warfare: even if the opponent is condemned elsewhere, killing by adharma stains the victor’s public reputation. Dharma is presented not only as inner intent but as observable conduct that society judges.
Sañjaya comments on the aftermath/implication of Suyodhana’s death: because the killing occurred through an unrighteous method, the Pāṇḍava (understood in context as Bhīma) will be branded in the world as a ‘jihyayodhī,’ a fighter who uses crooked or deceitful tactics.