Shloka 14
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
प्रणिपाते न दोषो5स्ति सन्धिर्न: शाश्वती: समा: । पितरं त्वेव शोचामि प्रज्ञानेत्र जनाधिपम्
praṇipāte na doṣo 'sti sandhir naḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ | pitaraṃ tv eva śocāmi prajñānetraṃ janādhipam ||
Tidak ada cela untuk menundukkan kepala pada saat ini; dengan itu, perdamaian yang langgeng selama bertahun-tahun dapat ditegakkan di antara kita. Namun aku berduka hanya bagi ayahku—Dhṛtarāṣṭra, penguasa manusia, yang matanya adalah kebijaksanaan.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames humility (praṇipāta) as not inherently shameful when it serves a higher good—ending conflict through a durable peace. It also highlights a moral tension: political reconciliation may be possible, yet personal sorrow remains for a father-king whose guiding ‘vision’ is wisdom.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Duryodhana speaks about the possibility of bowing or yielding at a critical moment to secure a long-term settlement. Even while acknowledging the value of peace, he expresses grief specifically for his father Dhṛtarāṣṭra, described as ‘wisdom-eyed,’ indicating concern for the king’s situation amid the crisis.