Shloka 1
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
/ ऑपन-माज बछ। -्:डि सप्तचत्वारिशो<्ध्याय: दुर्योधनका मयनिर्मित सभाभवनको देखना और पग- पगपर भ्रमके कारण उपहासका पात्र बनना तथा युधिष्टिरके वैभवको देखकर उसका चिन्तित होना वैशम्पायन उवाच वसन् दुर्योधनस्तस्यां सभायां पुरुषर्षभ । शनैर्ददर्श तां सर्वां सभां शकुनिना सह
vaiśampāyana uvāca | vasan duryodhanas tasyāṃ sabhāyāṃ puruṣarṣabha | śanair dadarśa tāṃ sarvāṃ sabhāṃ śakuninā saha ||
毗湿摩耶那说道：“噢，阇那弥阇耶，人中最胜者！杜罗约陀那王居于那座议事大殿时，与沙昆尼一道，缓缓巡览了整座会堂（sabhā）。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse initiates a moral contrast: outward magnificence and order can provoke either admiration and self-restraint or, in a mind ruled by pride and envy, agitation that leads to unethical choices. It foreshadows how unchecked jealousy becomes a cause of downfall.
Duryodhana, accompanied by his uncle Śakuni, walks through and carefully inspects the grand assembly hall. This inspection precedes the famous sequence where he becomes confused by the hall’s illusions and, seeing the Pāṇḍavas’ prosperity, grows distressed and resentful.