Shloka 22

Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Duryodhana Saṃvāda on Restraint and Rājānīti

Chapter 50

Devanagari script

ज्येष्टोडयमिति मां मत्वा श्रेष्ठ क्षेति विशाम्पते । युधिष्ठिरेण सत्कृत्य युक्तो रत्नपरिग्रहे

Transliteration

jyeṣṭo ’yam iti māṁ matvā śreṣṭha kṣeti viśāmpate | yudhiṣṭhireṇa satkṛtya yukto ratnaparigrahe ||

Translation

杜尤陀那说道：“噢，万民之主！由提施提罗以为：‘他是长兄，他最为卓越’，便礼遇于我，并委我掌管接纳诸王所献的宝珠珍宝。”

Word by Word

• ज्येष्ठः: eldest
• ज्येष्ठः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्येष्ठ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• उदयम्: rise; eminence; superiority
• उदयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: उदय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• इति: thus; as (saying)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

• माम्: me
• माम्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Accusative, Singular

• मत्वा: having thought/considered
• Type: Verb
• Root: मन्
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)

• श्रेष्ठः: best; foremost
• श्रेष्ठः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रेष्ठ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• क्षेति: dwells; rules (as a king)
• Type: Verb
• Root: क्षि
• Form: Present (Lat), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• विशाम्: of the people/subjects
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

• पते: O lord
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• युधिष्ठिरेण: by Yudhiṣṭhira
• युधिष्ठिरेण: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: युधिष्ठिर
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• सत्कृत्य: having honored; having treated respectfully
• Type: Verb
• Root: सत्-कृ
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral)

• युक्तः: appointed; engaged; assigned
• Type: Verb
• Root: युज्
• Form: क्त (past passive participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• रत्न-परिग्रहे: in the receiving/acceptance of jewels (gifts)
• रत्न-परिग्रहे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: रत्नपरिग्रह
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• महाराज: O great king
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाराज
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Singular

Speaker

दुर्योधन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Duryodhana
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• ratna (jewels/precious gifts)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights courtly dharma: honoring rank and assigning duties respectfully. Ethically, it also shows how external honor and entrusted responsibility can be interpreted through the lens of ego and rivalry, shaping later conflict.

What is happening in the narrative?

Duryodhana recounts that Yudhiṣṭhira, treating him with respect as the eldest/foremost among brothers, appointed him to manage the reception of jewels offered as gifts/tribute—an important ceremonial role in the royal assembly.