Shloka 503
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
मूर्थ्नि स्थितममित्राणां को नु स्वन्ततरो मया । दुर्योधनने कहा--मैंने विधिपूर्वक अध्ययन किया, दान दिये, समुद्रोंसहित पृथ्वीका शासन किया और शत्रुओंके मस्तकपर पैर रखकर मैं खड़ा रहा। मेरे समान उत्तम अन्त (परिणाम) किसका हुआ है?
mūrdhni sthitam amitrāṇāṁ ko nu svantataro mayā |
难敌说道：“我曾以足踏在仇敌的头颅之上而立。世间谁的结局，能比我的更为‘幸运’？”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral blindness of pride: Duryodhana equates ‘a good end’ with having dominated enemies, whereas the epic’s ethical frame treats true auspiciousness as alignment with dharma, humility, and right conduct.
In Shalya Parva’s closing movement, Duryodhana reflects on his life and fate. Even as defeat and death approach, he asserts his superiority by recalling his triumphs over foes, presenting his downfall as a ‘fortunate end’ because he once stood over enemies.