Shloka 19
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
वध्यतां साध्वयं पाप: सामात्य इति दुर्मति: । पुत्रस्नेहाभिभूतस्तु हितमुक्तो मनीषिभि:
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
vadhyatāṃ sādhv ayaṃ pāpaḥ sāmātya iti durmatiḥ |
putrasnehābhibhūtas tu hitam ukto manīṣibhiḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Indeed, this sinner of evil understanding ought rightly to have been put to death—together with his ministers. Yet, overwhelmed by affection for my son, I rejected the wholesome counsel spoken by the wise.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how parental attachment (putra-sneha) can overpower discernment and lead a ruler to reject wise, beneficial counsel (hita) even when justice demands firm action; it frames moral failure as a choice against dharma under the pressure of personal bonds.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on his past failure: although the wicked person (implicitly his son Duryodhana) deserved punishment—even along with his circle of ministers—Dhṛtarāṣṭra, driven by affection, did not accept the advice given by wise counsellors, and now voices remorse.