Shloka 19
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
शीतवातातपसहांस्तपसा चैव कर्शितान् | समस्थो विषमस्थान हि द्रष्टमिच्छति दुर्मति:,“हम सर्दी, गर्मी और हवाका कष्ट सहते हैं, तपस्यासे दुर्बल हो गये हैं और विषम परिस्थितिमें पड़े हैं, तो भी वह दुर्बुद्धि दुर्योधन, जो इस समय राजगद्दीपर बैठकर मौज उड़ा रहा है, हमें इस दुर्दशामें देखनेकी इच्छा रखता है
śītavātātapasahāṁs tapasā caiva karśitān | samastho viṣamasthān hi draṣṭum icchati durmatiḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：“纵然我等忍受寒冷、狂风与灼热烈日；纵然因苦行而形容憔悴，栖身于艰险不平之境——那心术险恶的杜尔约陀那，安坐王座、沉溺安逸，竟仍想前来观看我等这般凄惨处境。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inner endurance and ascetic hardship with the arrogance of power: ethical failure is shown in taking pleasure in others’ suffering, especially when one is secure and comfortable. It implicitly upholds compassion and restraint as marks of dharma, and condemns envy-driven humiliation.
The speaker describes the exiles’ condition—enduring cold, wind, and heat, weakened by austerities in difficult surroundings—and notes that Duryodhana, enjoying royal comfort, still wants to see them in their misery, highlighting his spite and intent to insult.