मत्समो हि गदायुद्धे पृथिव्यां नास्ति कश्नन । नासीत् ककश्चिदतिक्रान्तो भविता न च कश्नन,गदायुद्धमें मेरी समानता करनेवाला इस पृथ्वीपर न तो कोई है, न भूतकालमें कोई हुआ था और न भविष्यमें ही कोई होगा
matsamo hi gadāyuddhe pṛthivyāṃ nāsti kaścana | nāsīt kaścid atikrānto bhavitā na ca kaścana ||
गदायुद्धात या पृथ्वीवर माझ्यासमान कोणी नाही; भूतकाळातही कोणी मला ओलांडले नाही आणि भविष्यकाळातही कोणी ओलांडणार नाही।
दुर्योधन उवाच
The verse illustrates how pride in personal power—especially in a martial context—can harden one against wise counsel and ethical restraint. Duryodhana’s absolutist claim of unmatched superiority signals hubris, a key moral fault that contributes to the escalation toward war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana speaks assertively, proclaiming himself unrivaled in mace-combat. The statement functions as a rhetorical display of confidence and defiance, reinforcing his readiness to pursue conflict rather than compromise.