Shloka 12
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
इस प्रकार जब वह ऊपर चढ़ा, तब सब लोग उसकी भ्रान्तिपर हँसने लगे। उसके बाद राजा दुर्योधनने एक स्फटिकमणिका बना हुआ दरवाजा देखा, जो वास्तवमें बंद था, तो भी खुला दीखता था। उसमें प्रवेश करते ही उसका सिर टकरा गया और उसे चक््कर-सा आ गया ।।
tādṛśaṃ ca paraṃ dvāraṃ sphāṭikorukapāṭakam | vighaṭūṭayan karābhyāṃ tu niṣkramyāgre papāta ha ||
毗湿摩耶那说道：随后他又遇到一扇同样的门，上嵌巨大的水晶门扇。他把本来敞开的门误作紧闭，便双手用力去推；不料这一推反使他自己踉跄穿出门槛，向前扑倒。旁观者见其迷误，哄然大笑。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode illustrates how arrogance and jealousy cloud discernment: when one is inwardly unsettled, even ordinary perception becomes distorted, leading to self-inflicted disgrace. Ethically, it warns that ridicule and wounded pride can harden resentment and propel adharma-driven choices.
In the wondrous hall with deceptive crystal architecture, Duryodhana mistakes an open crystal door for a closed one and pushes at it; the push carries him out and he falls forward, becoming a laughingstock to the assembled people.