Shloka 3
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Lament on Kāla and Daiva after Draupadī’s Recovery (आरण्यक पर्व, अध्याय २५७)
एतच्छुत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठो धार्तराष्ट्रो विशाम्पते । आज्ञापयामास नृप: क्रतुराजप्रवर्तनम्,राजन! यह सुनकर नृपश्रेष्ठ दुर्योधनने उस क्रतुराजको प्रारम्भ करनेकी आज्ञा दी
etac chrutvā nṛpaśreṣṭho dhārtarāṣṭro viśāmpate | ājñāpayāmāsa nṛpaḥ kraturājapravartanam ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ao ouvir isso, o mais eminente dos reis—o filho de Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Duryodhana), ó senhor do povo—expediu a ordem para pôr em marcha o “rei dos sacrifícios” (kratūrāja).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical significance of intention in public religious acts: a grand sacrifice can be a dharmic offering or a political display, depending on the ruler’s motive and the consequences for others.
After hearing prior information or counsel, Duryodhana (identified as Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son) commands that the great royal sacrifice—the ‘king of sacrifices’—be initiated.