Shloka 27
अध्याय ९ — दुर्योधनस्य अन्त्यावस्था, विलापः, तथा सौप्तिक-प्रतिवृत्तम्
Duryodhana’s Final Condition, Lamentation, and the Night’s Report
“राजन! पराक्रमी यदुनन्दन बलरामजी आपके विषयमें सदा कहा करते थे कि 'गदायुद्धकी शिक्षामें दुर्योधनकी समानता करनेवाला दूसरा कोई नहीं है” ।। श्लाघते त्वां हि वाष्णेयो राजसंसत्सु भारत | स शिष्यो मम कौरव्यो गदायुद्ध इति प्रभो
ślāghate tvāṃ hi vāṣṇeyo rājasam̐satsu bhārata | sa śiṣyo mama kauravyo gadāyuddha iti prabho ||
سنجے نے کہا—“اے بھارت! بادشاہوں کی مجلسوں میں وाषṇेय (بلرام) تمہاری ستائش کرتے ہوئے کہتا ہے: ‘اے آقا! گدا-یُدھ میں یہ کورَو میرا شاگرد ہے۔’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that skill and fame in warfare—here, Duryodhana’s excellence in mace-fighting endorsed by Balarāma—do not by themselves establish righteousness. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, martial accomplishment gains true worth only when aligned with dharma.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Balarāma (Vāṣṇeya) publicly praises Duryodhana in royal courts, calling him his disciple in mace-combat. It recalls Duryodhana’s recognized training and reputation, set against the grim aftermath context of the Sauptika events.