Shloka 25

धृतराष्ट्र–दुर्योधन संवादः

Vāraṇāvata-vivāsana-nīti: Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Duryodhana’s Policy Dialogue

Devanagari script

इष्वस्त्रज्ञान्‌ पर्यपृच्छदाचार्यान्‌ वीर्यसम्मतान्‌ | नाल्‍्पधीर्ना महाभागस्तथा नानास्त्रकोविद:

Transliteration

iṣv-astrajñān paryapṛcchad ācāryān vīrya-sammatān | nālpa-dhīr nā mahābhāgas tathā nānāsra-kovidaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Bhīṣma began to inquire after teachers skilled in archery and the lore of weapons—men honored for their prowess. For he reasoned that one of small intellect, lacking great fortune and distinction, and not well-versed in the many sciences of arms, could not properly train these mighty Kauravas (and the princes). Thus, seeking excellence rather than mere instruction, he looked for a master worthy of shaping their power with disciplined knowledge.

Word by Word

• इषु: in/with arrows
• इषु: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: इषु
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• अस्त्र: weapon (missile-weapon)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• ज्ञान्: knowing, skilled (in)
• ज्ञान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्ञा (धातु) / ज्ञान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• परि: around, thoroughly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: परि

• अपृच्छत्: asked, inquired
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रच्छ्
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular

• आचार्यान्: teachers
• आचार्यान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: आचार्य
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• वीर्य: by valor/power
• वीर्य: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीर्य
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• सम्मतान्: esteemed, honored
• सम्मतान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम् + मन् (धातु) / सम्मत (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• अल्प: small, little
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अल्प
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• धीः: intellect
• Type: Noun
• Root: धी
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• महाभागः: a very fortunate/noble person
• महाभागः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तथा: thus, likewise
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• नाना: various, many kinds of
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• अस्त्र: in weapons (missile-weapons)
• अस्त्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अस्त्र
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Plural

• कोविदः: skilled, expert
• कोविदः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कोविद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīṣma
• ācāryas (teachers)
• Kauravas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Positions of instruction and authority should be given based on proven qualification—intellect, mastery, and recognized excellence—because the power of warriors must be shaped by disciplined knowledge, not by inadequacy.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma, intent on elevating the princes’ martial competence, seeks out renowned teachers of archery and weapon-science, judging that only a truly capable master can train such powerful heirs.