Shloka 3
द्रोणसेनापत्यं, व्यूहविन्यासः, उत्पातदर्शनं, आरम्भयुद्धम्
Droṇa’s Command, Battle-Formations, Omens, and Opening Engagement
तपसा च कृतज्ञत्वाद वृद्ध: सर्वगुणैरपि । युक्तो भवत्समो गोप्ता राज्ञामन्यो न विद्यते
tapasā ca kṛtajñatvād vṛddhaḥ sarvaguṇair api | yukto bhavatsamo goptā rājñām anyo na vidyate ||
তপস্যা, কৃতজ্ঞতা, জ্যেষ্ঠতা আৰু সৰ্বগুণে সমৃদ্ধ আপুনিই আপুনাৰ সমান যোগ্য ৰক্ষক; এই ৰজাসকলৰ মাজত আপুনাৰ দৰে আন কোনো অভিভাৱক নাই।
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal guardianship as grounded in tapas (self-discipline), kṛtajñatā (gratitude/loyal recognition of obligations), seniority, and comprehensive virtue—suggesting that legitimate protection of a realm depends on moral qualities, not merely power.
In the Drona Parva context, Duryodhana is addressing a respected elder/leader and extolling his qualifications as a uniquely capable protector among kings, using formal praise to affirm authority and secure committed leadership in the ongoing war.