Shloka 86
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
यत् तु सा बृहती श्यामा एकवस्त्रा सभां गता | अशृणोत् परुषा वाच: कि नु दुःखतरं ततः:
yat tu sā bṛhatī śyāmā ekavastrā sabhāṃ gatā | aśṛṇot paruṣā vācaḥ ki nu duḥkhataraṃ tataḥ ||
Ngunit ang babaeng iyon na maitim ang kutis—marangal at dakila ang dangal—ay pumasok sa bulwagan na iisang kasuotan lamang, at doon ay napilitang makinig sa mararahas at malulupit na salita. Anong pighati ang hihigit pa roon?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse identifies the gravest suffering as the public dishonoring of a virtuous woman and the court’s tolerance of cruel speech. It implies that social and political losses are secondary to the ethical catastrophe of adharma in a royal assembly—where protection of dignity and restraint of speech are central duties.
The speaker recalls the moment when the noble dark-hued lady is brought into the royal assembly with only a single garment and is subjected to harsh, abusive words. This scene is presented as the most unbearable grief, surpassing the loss of kingdom, defeat at dice, and exile.