Shloka 11
Rāmopākhyāna—Rāma–Sītā Origins and the Opening of Rāvaṇa’s Genealogy
तमब्रवीन्महाराजो धार्तराष्ट्री महायशा:,राजसूये पुनर्वीर त्वमेवं वर्धयिष्यसि । तब महायशस्वी महाराज दुर्योधनने उससे इस प्रकार कहा--“वीर! तुम्हारा यह कथन सत्य है। नरश्रेष्ठ जब दुरात्मा पाण्डव मारे जायँगे, उस समय महायज्ञ राजसूयके समाप्त होनेपर तुम पुनः इसी प्रकार मेरा अभिनन्दन करोगे”
tam abravīn mahārājo dhārtarāṣṭrī mahāyaśāḥ | rājasūye punar vīra tvam evaṁ vardhayiṣyasi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the illustrious king of the Dhṛtarāṣṭra line addressed him: “O hero, at the Rājasūya, you will again extol me in just this way.” The remark carries the tone of pride and self-assurance—an expectation of public acclaim tied to royal ritual—hinting at the ethical danger of seeking validation through power and ceremony rather than through restraint and righteousness.
वैशम्पायन उवाच