Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
मुहुर्मुहु: प्रणदतस्तस्य शड्खस्य भारत । अनिशं शब्दमश्रौषं ततो रोमाणि मे5हृषन्,भारत! ऐसा शंख वहाँ बार-बार बजता था और मैं निरन्तर उस शंख-ध्वनिको सुना करता था; इससे मेरे शरीरमें रोमांच हो आता था
muhurmuhuḥ praṇadatas tasya śaṅkhasya bhārata | aniśaṃ śabdam aśrauṣaṃ tato romāṇi me 'hṛṣan ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, sangkakala itu terus berbunyi berulang-ulang. Aku mendengar gema suaranya yang tidak putus-putus, dan kerananya bulu roma di tubuhku pun meremang.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
The verse highlights how sensory impressions—especially powerful sounds—can stir intense inner reactions. In the courtly-ethical setting of the Mahābhārata, such reactions often function as portents: a mind already driven by ambition and hostility becomes further unsettled, revealing the fragility beneath outward confidence.
Duryodhana reports that a conch was being blown repeatedly and continuously. Hearing its persistent sound, he experiences bodily bristling (romāñca), signaling strong emotional arousal—excitement mixed with apprehension—within the unfolding tensions of the Sabha Parva.