Shloka 17
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
पार्थान् सुमनसो दृष्ट्वा पार्थिवांश्ष वशानुगान् । कृत्स्नं चापि हितं लोकमाकुमारं कुरूद्गह
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pārthān sumanasaḥ dṛṣṭvā pārthivāṁś ca vaśānugān | kṛtsnaṁ cāpi hitaṁ lokam ā-kumārāṁ kuru-udgaha, kuruśreṣṭha |
毗舍摩波耶那说：他看见普利塔之子（般度五子）神情欢悦；看见大地诸王皆在其势力之下俯从；又看见举世之人——无论孩童或老者——都对他们怀着善意。于是，持国之子都利约陀那面色惨白。因为大心的般度族之荣耀已极其高涨，而这份兴盛反倒在他心中激起嫉妒与不安。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how another’s success can become a moral test: public goodwill and righteous prosperity should inspire emulation and self-discipline, but envy distorts judgment and becomes the seed of adharma.
After witnessing the Pāṇḍavas’ rising glory—cheerful confidence, allied kings under their influence, and widespread popular support—Duryodhana becomes inwardly shaken and outwardly pale, signaling the growth of jealousy that will drive later conflict.