Shloka 23
Bhīṣma’s Admonition; Duryodhana’s Rājasūya Aspiration and the Proposal of a Vaiṣṇava-satra
तेन तत् संवृतं दृष्टवा ते राजपरिचारका: । प्रतिजग्मुस्ततो राजन् यत्र दुर्योधनो नूप:,राजन्! उस सरोवरको गन्धर्वराजने घेर रखा है, यह देखकर वे राजसेवक जहाँ राजा दुर्योधन था, वहाँ लौट गये। जनमेजय! अपने सेवकोंका कथन सुनकर राजा दुर्योधनने युद्धके लिये उन्मत्त रहनेवाले सैनिकोंको यह आदेश देकर भेजा कि “गन्धर्वोको वहाँसे मार भगाओ'
tena tat saṃvṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā te rājaparicārakāḥ | pratijagmustato rājan yatra duryodhano nṛpaḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Nang makita nilang ang lawa ay napaliligiran at binabantayan ng hari ng mga Gandharva, ang mga tagapaglingkod ng palasyo, O hari, ay nagbalik sa kinaroroonan ni Haring Duryodhana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a factual report (the lake being guarded) can become fuel for ego-driven retaliation. Ethically, it points to the danger of letting pride and anger dictate action, as such impulses tend to escalate conflict and lead to avoidable harm.
The king’s attendants see that the lake is surrounded by the Gandharva king’s forces. They return to Duryodhana and report what they saw, setting up Duryodhana’s subsequent decision to respond with force.