Shloka 30
स एवमुक्तः सुहृदा वचो हित विचिन्त्य नि:श्वस्य च दुर्मनाब्रवीत् । यथा भवानाह सखे तथैव त- न्ममापि विज्ञापयतो वच: शूणु,सुहृद् अश्वत्थामाने जब इस प्रकार हितकी बात कही, तब दुर्योधन उसपर विचार करके लंबी साँस खींचकर मन-ही-मन दुःखी हो इस प्रकार बोला--'सखे! तुम जैसा कहते हो, वह सब ठीक है; परंतु इस विषयमें कुछ मैं भी निवेदन कर रहा हूँ, अतः मेरी बात भी सुन लो
sa evam uktaḥ suhṛdā vaco hitaṁ vicintya niḥśvasya ca durmanābravīt | yathā bhavān āha sakhe tathaiva tan mamāpi vijñāpayato vacaḥ śṛṇu suhṛt ||
Sañjaya said: Thus addressed by his well-wishing friend with words meant for his good, Duryodhana reflected, heaved a deep sigh, and—his mind inwardly distressed—spoke: “Friend, what you say is indeed right; yet on this matter I too have something to submit. Therefore, listen also to my words, O well-wisher.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when counsel is clearly beneficial (hita), a troubled mind may accept it verbally yet still feel compelled to argue its own position. The verse highlights the ethical tension between listening to wise advice and the ego-driven need to justify one’s chosen course.
After a well-wisher speaks for Duryodhana’s good, Duryodhana pauses to reflect, sighs in distress, and replies that the friend’s words are correct—yet asks to be heard as he presents his own counter-submission on the same issue.