Shloka 8
Gaṅgādvāra-tīrtha, Ulūpī-saṃvāda, and Arjuna’s Dharma-Deliberation (गङ्गाद्वार-तीर्थम्, उलूपी-संवादः)
यथैव हि महाभागा: कौन्तेया मम साम्प्रतम् । तथैव वासुदेवस्य पाण्डुपुत्रा न संशय:,द्रपद बोले--दशार्हकुलके रत्न वीरवर पुरुषोत्तम महाबाहु श्रीकृष्ण इस समय जो कर्तव्य उचित समझते हों, निश्चय ही मेरी भी वही सम्मति है। महाभाग कुन्तीपुत्र इस समय मेरे लिये जैसे अपने हैं, उसी प्रकार इन भगवान् वासुदेवके लिये भी समस्त पाण्डव उतने ही प्रिय एवं आत्मीय हैं--इसमें संशय नहीं है
yathaiva hi mahābhāgāḥ kaunteyā mama sāmpratam | tathaiva vāsudevasya pāṇḍuputrā na saṁśayaḥ ||
Drupada said: “Just as, at this moment, you fortunate sons of Kuntī are my very own, so too are the sons of Pāṇḍu dear and intimate to Vāsudeva—of this there is no doubt. Therefore, whatever that best of heroes, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, deems right to be done now, that is also my settled judgment.”
द्ुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Drupada affirms ethical solidarity: true alliance is grounded in heartfelt kinship and trust. He aligns his judgment with Kṛṣṇa’s discernment, implying that right action (dharma) in a crisis should follow wise, impartial counsel and steadfast loyalty to those bound by duty and affection.
Drupada addresses the Pāṇḍavas (as ‘Kaunteyas’) and declares them as dear to him as they are to Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa). By stressing that Kṛṣṇa holds the Pāṇḍavas as intimate and beloved, he signals unity of purpose and readiness to support whatever course Kṛṣṇa considers proper in the present situation.