Shloka 17
Adhyāya 52 (Sabhā-parva): Vidura Invites Yudhiṣṭhira to Hastināpura for the Dice Match
सुजातय: श्रेणिमन्त: श्रेयांस: शस्त्रधारिण: । अहार्ष: क्षत्रिया वित्त शतशो5जातशत्रवे
sujātayaḥ śreṇimantaḥ śreyāṁsaḥ śastradhāriṇaḥ | ahārṣaḥ kṣatriyā vittaṁ śataśo ’jātaśatrave ||
Duryodhana berkata: “Para kṣatriya yang berdarah mulia, tersusun rapi, termulia, dan bersenjata—beratus-ratus jumlahnya—membawa harta sebagai ufti kepada Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira).”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible signs of righteous sovereignty—order, strength, and widespread allegiance—manifest as voluntary or compelled tribute. Ethically, it also frames the seed of envy: another’s dharmic success and public honor can provoke resentment in those attached to status and comparison.
In the Sabha Parva context, Duryodhana is describing the grandeur of Yudhiṣṭhira’s imperial standing: numerous armed and eminent kṣatriyas arrive in organized groups and present wealth to him. This description functions as a report of Yudhiṣṭhira’s rising prestige and a catalyst for Duryodhana’s inner agitation.