Shloka 13
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
धतराष्ट्र वाच ब्राह्मणानां हस्तिभिनस्ति कृत्यं राजन्यानां नागकुलानि विप्र | स्वं वाहनं नयतो नास्त्यधर्मो नागश्रेष्ठ गौतमास्मान्निवर्त
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | brāhmaṇānāṃ hastibhir nāsti kṛtyaṃ rājanyānāṃ nāgakulāni vipra | svaṃ vāhanaṃ nayato nāsty adharmaḥ nāgaśreṣṭha gautamāsmān nivarta ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O brāhmaṇa, elephants are of no practical use to brāhmaṇas; herds of elephants belong to the sphere of kings. This elephant is my own mount, and in taking my own vehicle there is no unrighteousness. O Gautama, best among sages—turn back from us; withdraw your claim and desire regarding this elephant.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dhṛtarāṣṭra argues a role-based view of dharma: elephants and their management fall under kṣatriya/royal responsibility, not brāhmaṇa livelihood; therefore reclaiming his mount is, in his view, not adharma. The verse foregrounds how claims of righteousness can be framed through social duty (varṇa-dharma) and ownership.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses the sage Gautama, who is opposing or questioning his taking of an elephant. Dhṛtarāṣṭra defends his action by stating that elephants are meant for kings, that the elephant is his own vehicle, and he urges Gautama to desist and withdraw his desire/claim regarding it.