Shloka 56
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
अमोक्षणीयं दैवं हि भावि मत्वा महामति: । तथा तत् कृतवान् द्रोण आत्मकीर्त्यनुरक्षणात्,परम बुद्धिमान प्रतापी भरद्वाजनन्दन द्रोण यह सोचकर कि प्रारब्धके भावी विधानको टालना असम्भव है, पांचालराजकुमार धृष्टद्युम्मको अपने घर ले आये और उन्होंने उसे अस्त्र-विद्याकी शिक्षा देकर उसका बहुत बड़ा उपकार किया। द्रोणाचार्यने अपनी कीर्तिकी रक्षाके लिये वह उदारतापूर्ण कार्य किया
amokṣaṇīyaṁ daivaṁ hi bhāvi matvā mahāmatiḥ | tathā tat kṛtavān droṇa ātmakīrty-anurakṣaṇāt ||
The Brahmin said: Knowing that what is ordained by destiny and about to occur cannot be averted, the great-minded Droṇa acted accordingly. For the sake of safeguarding his own fame, he performed that deed—an act presented as generous, yet also shaped by concern for reputation.
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between accepting destiny as unavoidable and taking action with mixed motives. Even when one believes events are fated, one’s choices—especially those driven by the desire to protect personal fame—remain ethically significant.
A Brahmin narrator comments on Droṇa’s conduct: Droṇa, convinced that the destined outcome cannot be prevented, proceeds to act in a way that aligns with that fate, while also aiming to preserve his own reputation.