Shloka 18
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
महिमान परं चापि पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् | दुर्योधनो धार्तराष्ट्रो विवर्ण: समपद्यत
vaiśampāyana uvāca | mahimānaṁ paraṁ cāpi pāṇḍavānāṁ mahātmanām | duryodhano dhārtarāṣṭro vivarṇaḥ samapadyata, kuruśreṣṭha |
ಮಹಾತ್ಮರಾದ ಪಾಂಡವರ ಪರಮ ಮಹಿಮೆಯನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಧೃತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪುತ್ರ ದುರ್ಯೋಧನನು ವಿವರ್ಣನಾದನು.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how envy (īrṣyā) distorts perception: the Pāṇḍavas’ legitimate prosperity and universal goodwill should inspire respect or self-improvement, but in Duryodhana it produces inner agitation and loss of balance—an ethical warning about responding to others’ success.
After witnessing the Pāṇḍavas’ rising eminence—public joy, widespread support, and the submission or alignment of many kings—Duryodhana reacts with visible distress, becoming pale. This reaction foreshadows his later hostility and schemes against them.