Shloka 12
Āśā-prabhava (आशाप्रभव) — On the Rise and Power of Hope/Expectation
Sumitra Itihāsa Begins
दृष्टवा च तां सभां दिव्यां दिव्यपुष्पफलान्विताम् । अश्वांस्तित्तिरकल्माषान् वस्त्राणि विविधानि च
dṛṣṭvā ca tāṃ sabhāṃ divyāṃ divyapuṣpaphalānvitām | aśvāṃs tittirakalmāṣān vastrāṇi vividhāni ca, bhārata |
ドゥルヨーダナは言った。「天の花と果実で飾られた、あの驚くべき広間を見たとき――鶉のように斑のある馬、さまざまに麗しい衣――おお、バーラタよ。さらに、敵であるパーンダヴァたちの、まるで財宝神クベーラのごとき、広大で吉祥なる繁栄を目の当たりにして、私は絶えず悲嘆の底へと沈み込んでゆくのだ。」
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy and fixation on others’ prosperity breeds inner suffering. Duryodhana’s grief arises not from loss of dharma but from comparison and possessiveness, illustrating an ethical warning: unchecked jealousy corrodes judgment and becomes a seed of conflict.
Duryodhana describes seeing the Pāṇḍavas’ magnificent hall and luxurious possessions—flowers, fruits, fine garments, and dappled horses. Confronted with their Kubera-like splendor, he confesses that he is overwhelmed by continuous sorrow.