Shloka 4
Adhyāya 11 — Maṇḍala-vicāra and Ṣāḍguṇya-prayoga
Circle-of-Kings Analysis and the Six Policies
इदं मद्वचनात् क्षत्त: कौरवं ब्रूहि पार्थिवम् । यावदिच्छति पुत्राणां श्राद्ध तावद् ददाम्यहम्,“चाचाजी! आप मेरी ओरसे कौरवनरेश धृतराष्ट्रसे जाकर कह दीजिये कि वे अपने पुत्रोंका श्राद्ध करनेके लिये जितना धन चाहते हों, वह सब मैं दे दूँगा
idaṁ madvacanāt kṣattaḥ kauravaṁ brūhi pārthivam | yāvad icchati putrāṇāṁ śrāddhaṁ tāvad dadāmy aham ||
Arjuna said: “O steward (khṣattṛ), convey my words to the Kuru king. For the śrāddha rites of his sons, whatever amount he wishes, that much I will provide.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma continues after conflict: one should uphold duties toward the dead and act with compassion even toward former adversaries. Arjuna’s willingness to fund the śrāddha emphasizes generosity, reconciliation, and respect for ritual obligations.
After the war, Arjuna instructs a royal attendant to tell Dhṛtarāṣṭra that he will provide whatever wealth is needed to perform the śrāddha rites for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, acknowledging their death and supporting the king’s ritual responsibilities.