Shloka 18
Droṇa–Drupada Saṃvāda and Droṇa’s Reception at the Kuru Court (द्रोण-द्रुपद-संवादः; कुरुनगरप्रवेशः)
अधर्मेण न नो धर्म: संयुज्यति कथंचन । लोकक्षायं वरारोहे धर्मोडयमिति मन्यते
adharmeṇa na no dharmaḥ saṁyujyati kathaṁcana | lokakṣāyaṁ varārohe dharmo ’yam iti manyate |
Vaiśampāyana said: “Our dharma can never, in any way, be joined with adharma. O fair-hipped lady, the world itself regards this as dharma—something that preserves society from ruin. A son born through Dharma will be the most righteous among the Kurus; of this there is no doubt. A son granted by Dharma will not incline toward unrighteousness. Therefore, O gently smiling one, restrain your mind and senses, keep dharma before you, and by due rites of worship and the prescribed ritual procedure, invoke the deity Dharma.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma must not be pursued through unrighteous means; true dharma safeguards society (lokakṣāya). Ethical ends require ethical means, supported by self-restraint and proper ritual discipline.
In the context of seeking a righteous heir, the speaker emphasizes that their course is not adharma: the world recognizes it as dharma that protects social order, and urges the woman addressed to practice restraint and ritually invoke the deity Dharma to obtain a virtuous son.