Shloka 20
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Duryodhana Saṃvāda on Restraint and Rājānīti
Chapter 50
आवर्जिता इवाभान्ति नीपाश्रित्रककौकुरा: । कारस्कारा लोहजड्घा युधिष्विरनिवेशने,नीप, चित्रक, कुकुर, कारस्कर तथा लोहजंघ आदि क्षत्रियनरेश युधिष्ठिरके घरमें सेवकोंकी भाँति सेवा करते हुए शोभा पा रहे थे
āvarjitā ivābhānti nīpāśritra-kakūkurāḥ | kāraskārā lohajaṅghā yudhiṣṭhirāniveśane ||
ਦੁਰਯੋਧਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਜਿਵੇਂ ਖਿੱਚ ਕੇ ਲਿਆ ਕੇ ਵੱਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ—ਨੀਪ, ਚਿਤ੍ਰਕ, ਕੁਕੁਰ, ਕਾਰਸਕਰ ਅਤੇ ਲੋਹਜੰਘ ਆਦਿ—ਯੁਧਿਸ਼ਠਿਰ ਦੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਵਾਂਗ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਸ਼ੋਭ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible prosperity and the gathering of allies can provoke jealousy and resentment in a rival. Ethically, it warns that envy distorts perception: what may be legitimate honor or alliance-building is interpreted as humiliating domination, becoming fuel for adharma-driven conflict.
In the context of Yudhiṣṭhira’s rising imperial stature, several named Kṣatriya rulers are seen at his residence in a manner resembling service or attendance. Duryodhana remarks on this scene, implicitly contrasting their former independence with their present deference, and his reaction signals the intensifying hostility toward the Pāṇḍavas.