Shloka 66
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 132 — Duryodhana’s Instructions to Purocana at Vāraṇāvata
Lākṣāgṛha Planning
प्राणाधिकं भीमसेनं कृतविद्यं धनंजयम् । धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानो नामृष्यन्त परस्परम्
prāṇādhikaṃ bhīmasenaṃ kṛtavidyaṃ dhanaṃjayam | dhārtarāṣṭrā durātmāno nāmṛṣyanta parasparam ||
प्राणाधिकं भीमसेनं कृतविद्यं धनंजयम्। धार्तराष्ट्रा दुरात्मानो नामृष्यन्त परस्परम्॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how envy arises when virtue and capability shine: the Kauravas, described as durātmānaḥ, cannot tolerate Bhīma’s superior strength and Arjuna’s mastery of weapons. Ethically, it warns that resentment toward others’ excellence is a mark of adharma and becomes a seed of future wrongdoing.
Vaiśampāyana narrates the growing hostility in the Kuru court: observing Bhīma’s exceptional might and Arjuna’s accomplished martial learning, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons become unable to endure the Pāṇḍavas’ rising stature, intensifying rivalry that will later drive major conflicts.