Shloka 18
Adhyāya 48 — Duryodhana’s Account of Tribute and the Provisioned Court (सभा पर्व, अध्याय ४८)
दुर्योधन उवाच अप्रमादेन सुह्ृदामन्येषां च महात्मनाम् । यदि शक््या विजेतुं ते तन््ममाचक्ष्व मातुल,दुर्योधनने कहा--मामाजी! यदि मेरे सगे-सम्बन्धियों तथा अन्य महात्माओंकी सतत सावधानीसे किसी उपायद्वारा पाण्डवोंको जीता जा सके तो वह मुझे बताइये
duryodhana uvāca | apramādena suhṛdām anyeṣāṃ ca mahātmanām | yadi śakyā vijetuṃ te tan mamācakṣva mātula ||
Sinabi ni Duryodhana: “O tiyuhin sa ina, kung sa walang humpay na pagbabantay ng aking mga kapanalig at ng iba pang mararangal ay may paraang maipanalo laban sa mga Pāṇḍava, sabihin mo sa akin ang paraang iyon.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the political-ethical tension between vigilance and intention: careful planning and constant alertness can be powerful, but when directed toward unjust ends (defeating rightful rivals through ‘some means’), the same ‘apramāda’ becomes morally ambiguous. It shows how strategic competence is not identical with dharma; the purpose and method determine ethical value.
In the Sabha Parva context, Duryodhana turns to his maternal uncle Śakuni for counsel. He asks whether there exists any workable plan—supported by the vigilance of allies and other influential figures—by which the Pāṇḍavas can be overcome, and requests Śakuni to disclose that plan.