Shloka 50
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
अयोनिजास्त्रयो होते पिता माता च मातुलः
ayonijāstrayo hote pitā mātā ca mātulaḥ | mahārāja! abhāśvṛtthāmāke ye pitā, mātā aura māmā trayo hi ayonijāḥ | aśvatthāmāpi śūravīra evaṃ mama pakṣe sthitaḥ | rājan! ete sarve yoddhā devatāsama-parākramā mahārathinaḥ ||
Duryodhana bertitah: “Wahai Maharaja, tiga penyokong utamaku—ayah, ibu, dan bapa saudara sebelah ibu—semuanya berketurunan luar biasa (bukan lahir dari rahim). Dan Aśvatthāmā juga seorang pahlawan, berdiri di pihakku. Tuanku, kesemua pahlawan ini gagah laksana para dewa dan merupakan maharatha.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how claims of extraordinary birth and martial excellence are used to bolster political confidence; ethically, it hints at the danger of equating power and pedigree with righteousness (dharma), a recurring tension in the Mahābhārata.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana is asserting the strength of his coalition, highlighting exceptional allies (including Aśvatthāmā) to reassure the king and reinforce his resolve for conflict.