Shloka 35
Rājasūyābhiṣeka-darśana: Duryodhana’s Observation of the Consecration
वैश्या इव महीपाला द्विजातिपरिवेषका: । न सा श्रीर्देवराजस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च । गुहाकाधिपतेर्वापि या श्री राजन् युधिष्ठिरे
vaiśyā iva mahīpālā dvijāti-pariveṣakāḥ | na sā śrīr devarājasya yamasya varuṇasya ca | guhākādhipater vāpi yā śrī rājan yudhiṣṭhire ||
Duryodhana nói: “Những vua chúa ấy, như thể chỉ là hạng vaiśya, đang dọn thức ăn phục vụ các bậc ‘nhị sinh’ (dvija). Tâu bệ hạ, vinh quang và phú quý nơi Yudhiṣṭhira còn chẳng thấy ở Indra, cũng không ở Yama, Varuṇa, hay cả Kubera—chúa tể các Yakṣa.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward prosperity and honor can provoke envy and distorted judgment: Duryodhana interprets acts of dharmic hospitality toward brāhmaṇas as humiliating for kings, revealing how pride can invert ethical values.
In the context of Yudhiṣṭhira’s grand royal rite and courtly magnificence, Duryodhana observes kings serving the twice-born and, stung by comparison, declares that Yudhiṣṭhira’s fortune surpasses even that of major deities—an admission that intensifies his resentment.