Shloka 4
Rāmopākhyāna—Rāma–Sītā Origins and the Opening of Rāvaṇa’s Genealogy
नैव तस्य क्रतोरेष कलामहति षोडशीम् । एवं तत्राब्रुवन् केचिद् वातिकास्तं जनेश्वरम्,कुछ अन्य वायुरोगग्रस्त लोग राजा दुर्योधनसे इस प्रकार कहने लगे--“यह यज्ञ तो युधिष्ठिरके यज्ञकी सोलहवीं कलाके बराबर भी नहीं है”
naiva tasya krator eṣā kalā mahati ṣoḍaśīm | evaṃ tatrābruvan kecid vātikās taṃ janeśvaram ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Di situ, beberapa orang yang ditimpa penyakit angin (vāta) berkata kepada raja, tuan manusia itu: “Korban suci ini tidak pun menyamai bahagian keenam belas yang besar daripada korban suci Yudhiṣṭhira.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External grandeur is not the true measure of a sacrifice; its worth is judged by the performer’s dharma, intention, and moral stature. The verse highlights how rivalry and pride invite ethical scrutiny and unfavorable comparison.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, some vāta-afflicted men address the king (understood here as Duryodhana) and belittle his sacrifice, declaring it not even a sixteenth part of Yudhiṣṭhira’s. Their remark intensifies the theme of competitive kingship and the contrast between the Pāṇḍavas’ and Kauravas’ standing.