Shloka 17
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
श्लाघते5यं सदा वीर पार्थस्य गुणविस्तरै: । पुत्रादभ्यधिकं चैनं भारद्वाजोडनुपश्यति
ślāghate ’yaṃ sadā vīra pārthasya guṇa-vistaraiḥ | putrād abhyadhikaṃ cainaṃ bhāradvājo ’nupaśyati vīra ||
Bhīṣma sprach: „O Held, dieser Bhāradvāja (Droṇa) preist Pārtha unablässig und entfaltet die ganze Fülle seiner Tugenden; ja, er hält ihn für lieber als den eigenen Sohn.“
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of recognizing merit: a true teacher openly honors a disciple’s virtues, even when that esteem surpasses personal ties. It underscores how excellence (guṇa) can command loyalty and affection beyond blood relations.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Bhīṣma describes Droṇa’s attitude toward Arjuna: Droṇa repeatedly extols Arjuna’s qualities in detail and regards him as more beloved than his own son, indicating Arjuna’s exceptional standing even among his opponents’ elders.