Shloka 38
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 141: Bhīma–Hiḍimba Confrontation and Protective Discourse
यदि त्वं हि पुरा राजन्निदं राज्यमवाप्तवान् | ध्रुवं प्राप्स्याम च वयं राज्यमप्यवशे जने,राजन्! यदि पहले ही आपने यह राज्य पा लिया होता तो आज हम अवश्य ही इसे प्राप्त कर लेते; फिर तो लोगोंका कोई वश नहीं चलता
yadi tvaṃ hi purā rājan idaṃ rājyam avāptavān | dhruvaṃ prāpsyāma ca vayaṃ rājyam apy avaśe jane, rājan ||
ทุรโยธนะกล่าวว่า “ข้าแต่พระราชา หากพระองค์ได้ครอบครองราชอาณาจักรนี้มาตั้งแต่ก่อนแล้ว วันนี้พวกเราก็คงได้ราชสมบัติแน่นอน; และในกรณีนั้น ข้าแต่พระราชา ประชาชนย่อมไม่อาจหลุดพ้นจากอำนาจบังคับบัญชาของเราได้”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a rajya-centered (power-centered) outlook: legitimacy and stability are framed in terms of timely acquisition of sovereignty and the ability to keep subjects under control. Ethically, it contrasts political expediency with dharmic governance, implying that mere possession of power—without rightful conduct—does not guarantee enduring authority over people.
Duryodhana addresses a king (rājan), arguing that if the king had secured the kingdom earlier, Duryodhana’s side would certainly have obtained it by now; he adds that then the populace would not be unmanageable. The statement functions as political counsel and pressure, emphasizing timing, consolidation of rule, and control over public sentiment.