Shloka 37
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
इच्छेयं च गदाहस्तं राजन द्रष्टं वृकोदरम् । सुचिरं प्रार्थितो होष मम नित्यं मनोरथ:
iccheyaṃ ca gadāhastaṃ rājan draṣṭuṃ vṛkodaram | suciraṃ prārthito hoṣa mama nityaṃ manorathaḥ ||
Duryodhana disse: “Ó rei, desejo ver Vṛkodara com a maça na mão. Há muito tempo este tem sido o meu anseio constante — sempre suplicado e guardado no coração.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sustained inner desire—especially when driven by rivalry and pride—can shape one’s intentions and propel conflict. Ethically, it points to the danger of nurturing antagonistic wishes rather than seeking reconciliation.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana expresses his long-standing wish to see Bhīma (Vṛkodara) armed with a mace—anticipating a direct martial confrontation and revealing his fixation on a decisive duel.