Shloka 123
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
दुर्योधनो नाम महान् राजा राजर्षिसत्तम: | इन्द्रके समान शरीरवाले राजा दुर्जयके एक पुत्र हुआ जो अभश्विनीकुमारोंके समान कान्तिमान् था। उसका नाम था दुर्योधन। वह राजर्षियोंमें श्रेष्ठ महान् राजा था
duryodhano nāma mahān rājā rājarṣi-sattamaḥ | indrake samāna-śarīra-vāle rājā durjayake eka putra huā yo 'śvinī-kumāroṃ ke samāna kāntimān thā | usakā nāma thā duryodhanaḥ | sa rājarṣīṣu śreṣṭhaḥ mahān rājā āsīt |
Wika ni Bhishma: May isang dakilang haring nagngangalang Duryodhana, ang pinakapanguna sa mga rājarṣi. Kay Haring Durjaya—na ang katawan ay tulad ng kay Indra—isinilang ang iisang anak na lalaki, maningning na gaya ng kambal na Aśvin. Duryodhana ang kanyang pangalan. Siya’y makapangyarihang hari, at ibinilang na pinakamainam sa mga rājarṣi—isang salaysay na nagpapahiwatig na ang panlabas na karangyaan at marangal na angkan ay maaaring sumabay sa mga pagsubok ng asal, at ang tunay na halaga ng pinuno’y hinahatulan ng dharma, hindi ng ningning lamang.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage foregrounds the Mahābhārata’s ethical lens: noble birth, divine-like appearance, and public acclaim do not by themselves guarantee dharmic conduct. True greatness of a ruler is ultimately measured by choices, restraint, and adherence to dharma rather than by splendor or reputation.
Bhishma is describing a king named Duryodhana, presenting his exalted status and the circumstances of his birth: he is the sole son of King Durjaya, compared in form to Indra and in radiance to the Aśvinī twins. The narration functions as a laudatory genealogical/character introduction.