Shloka 16

Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)

Devanagari script

दुर्योधनो गुरुद्वेषी त्यक्ताचारसुहृज्जन: । अर्थलुब्धोडभिमानी च नीच: प्रकृतिनिर्घण:,दुर्योधन गुरुजनोंसे द्वेष रखनेवाला है। उसने सदाचार और पाण्डवों-जैसे सुहृदोंको त्याग दिया है। वह अर्थलोलुप, अभिमानी, नीच और स्वभावतः ही निष्ठुर है

Transliteration

duryodhano gurudveṣī tyaktācārasuhṛjjanaḥ | arthalubdho 'bhimānī ca nīcaḥ prakṛtinirghṛṇaḥ ||

Translation

毗舍波耶那说道：杜尤陀那憎恨长辈与师长；他抛弃正行，背离如般度五子那般怀善意的友人。他贪恋财物，骄矜自大，品性卑劣，天性残酷——正是嫉妒与傲慢如何腐蚀法（dharma）、毁坏善缘的明证。

Word by Word

दुर्योधनःDuryodhana

गुरुद्वेषीhating the elders/teachers

त्यक्ताचारसुहृज्जनःone who has abandoned good conduct and friends/kinsmen

अर्थलुब्धःgreedy for wealth

अभिमानीproud, arrogant

चand

नीचःbase, vile

प्रकृतिनिर्घृणःcruel by nature

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Duryodhana

guru (elders/teachers)

suhṛd-jana (well-wishing friends)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse warns that hatred toward those worthy of reverence (gurus/elders), abandonment of right conduct, and the vices of greed and pride lead to moral degradation. Such traits sever supportive relationships and place a person firmly on the path of adharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana characterizes Duryodhana in strongly ethical terms, highlighting his hostility to elders and his rejection of good conduct and well-wishers. This description frames Duryodhana’s disposition as a key cause behind the unfolding conflict.