Shloka 44
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
मया च स्वयमागम्य युद्धकाल उपस्थिते । सर्वलोकस्य सांनिध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं पडच याचित:,“जब युद्धका अवसर उपस्थित हुआ, उस समय मैंने स्वयं आकर शान्ति स्थापित करनेके लिये सब लोगोंके सामने आपसे केवल पाँच गाँव माँगे थे
mayā ca svayam āgamya yuddhakāla upasthite | sarvalokasya sānnidhye grāmāṁs tvaṁ pañca yācitaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Nang dumating na ang panahon ng digmaan, ako mismo ang lumapit sa harap ng lahat, upang magtatag ng kapayapaan, at humingi sa iyo ng limang nayon lamang.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even at the brink of war, dharma favors exhausting peaceful, proportionate remedies. A minimal, publicly made request underscores ethical restraint and highlights the moral weight of rejecting reconciliation.
The speaker recalls personally approaching the opposing side, in the presence of all, to ask for only five villages as a peace settlement—an attempt to prevent the impending war.