Shloka 123
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
दुर्योधनो नाम महान् राजा राजर्षिसत्तम: | इन्द्रके समान शरीरवाले राजा दुर्जयके एक पुत्र हुआ जो अभश्विनीकुमारोंके समान कान्तिमान् था। उसका नाम था दुर्योधन। वह राजर्षियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महान् राजा था
duryodhano nāma mahān rājā rājarṣi-sattamaḥ | indrake samāna-śarīra-vāle rājā durjayake eka putra huā yo 'śvinī-kumāroṃ ke samāna kāntimān thā | usakā nāma thā duryodhanaḥ | sa rājarṣīṣu śreṣṭhaḥ mahān rājā āsīt |
ビーシュマは語った。「ドゥルヨーダナという大王がいた。王仙（ラージャルシ）たちの中でも最上と称えられる者である。インドラのごとき身躯をもつドゥルジャヤ王に、ただ一人の王子が生まれた。その輝きはアシュヴィニー双神にも比せられ、名をドゥルヨーダナという。彼は強大な王であり、王仙の中の最良と数えられた—外なる栄光と高貴な血統が、のちに統治者の真価を試す道徳の試練と併存しうることを示すのである。真の価値は繁栄ではなくダルマによって裁かれる。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds the Mahābhārata’s ethical lens: noble birth, divine-like appearance, and public acclaim do not by themselves guarantee dharmic conduct. True greatness of a ruler is ultimately measured by choices, restraint, and adherence to dharma rather than by splendor or reputation.
Bhishma is describing a king named Duryodhana, presenting his exalted status and the circumstances of his birth: he is the sole son of King Durjaya, compared in form to Indra and in radiance to the Aśvinī twins. The narration functions as a laudatory genealogical/character introduction.