Shloka 31
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
आधिराज्यं महद् दीप्तं प्रथितं मधुसूदन । आहतं येन वीर्येण कुरूणां सर्वराजसु
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ādhirājyaṃ mahad dīptaṃ prathitaṃ madhusūdana |
āhataṃ yena vīryeṇa kurūṇāṃ sarvarājasu ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O Madhusūdana, ang malawak at maningning na kapangyarihang imperyal ng mga Kuru—tanyag sa lahat ng hari—ay napagwagian at napasikat ng mismong lakas ni Arjuna. Siya ang haliging sinasandigan ng lahat ng Pāṇḍava: ang pangunahing mandirigmang nakasakay sa karwahe, tunay na magiting; sa harap niya, walang pumapasok sa labanan na nakababalik na buhay. Siya’y laging nagwawagi, di matatalo, may kakayahang supilin ang lahat ng nilalang; at kung paanong si Indra ang kanlungan ng mga diyos, gayon siya ang sandigan ng lahat ng Pāṇḍava. Kumusta na ngayon si Arjuna—ang kapatid at kaibigan mo?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames political sovereignty as resting on personal virtue and disciplined prowess: legitimate fame and imperial power are portrayed as outcomes of vīrya (heroic excellence) exercised in service of one’s allies. It also highlights ethical responsibility—when a community depends on a single champion, his welfare becomes a matter of collective dharma and concern.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy and preparations, the speaker (as narrated by Vaiśampāyana) emphasizes Arjuna’s decisive role in establishing the Kurus’ imperial renown and his function as the Pāṇḍavas’ main support, then asks Kṛṣṇa about Arjuna’s present condition—underscoring both Arjuna’s stature and the urgency of the moment.