Shloka 21
Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
दुर्योधनस्तु कर्णेन पाल्यमानो5भ्ययात् तदा । हृष्ट: कन्यामुपादाय नगरं नागसाह्दयम्,दुर्योधन कर्णसे सुरक्षित हो राजकन्याको साथ लिये राजी-खुशी हस्तिनापुर वापस आ गया
duryodhanas tu karṇena pālyamāno 'bhyayāt tadā | hṛṣṭaḥ kanyām upādāya nagaraṃ nāgasāhvayam ||
Sinabi ni Nārada: Noon, si Duryodhana, na pinangangalagaan at sinusuportahan ni Karṇa, ay umalis at nagbalik. Sa galak, isinama niya ang prinsesa at bumalik sa lungsod na tinatawag na Nāgasāhvaya (Hastināpura). Ipinakikita ng taludtod na ang kapangyarihan at pag-iingat ay nakapagpapalakas ng loob sa isang pinuno, at ang pagkuha sa isang dalaga ay nagiging gawaing mabigat sa moralidad kapag hinimok ng tagumpay sa halip na ng dharma.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse implicitly cautions that when a ruler acts under the shield of powerful allies, joy and confidence can turn into moral blindness. The act of taking a princess is narrated with Duryodhana’s exultation, inviting reflection on whether such triumph aligns with dharma and rightful conduct.
Nārada reports that Duryodhana, backed by Karṇa’s protection, departs and returns happily to Nāgasāhvaya (Hastināpura), bringing a princess with him—an episode framed as a politically and ethically significant seizure/bringing of a royal maiden.