Shloka 6
धृतराष्ट्रस्य स्पर्शाभिलाषः — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Request for Touch and Permission for Tapas
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आश्रमवासिकपवके अन्तर्गत आश्रमवासपर्वमें धृतराष्रका उपदेशविषयक छठा अध्याय पूरा हुआ,उत्साहप्रभुशक्तिभ्यां मन्त्रशक्त्या च भारत । उपपन्नो नृपो यायाद् विपरीतं च वर्जयेत् भारत! जो राजा उत्साह-शक्ति, प्रभु-शक्ति और मन्त्र-शक्तिमें शत्रुकी अपेक्षा बढ़ा-चढ़ा हो, उसे ही आक्रमण करना चाहिये। यदि इसके विपरीत अवस्था हो तो आक्रमणका विचार त्याग देना चाहिये
utsāha-prabhu-śaktibhyāṁ mantra-śaktyā ca bhārata | upapanno nṛpo yāyād viparītaṁ ca varjayet ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra instructs that a king should undertake an offensive only when he surpasses the enemy in three supports of power: personal energy and resolve, sovereign resources and authority, and the strategic strength of counsel and policy. If these advantages are lacking, he should renounce the very thought of attacking, for action taken without adequate strength and guidance leads to ruin and violates prudent kingship.
धघतयाट्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should wage war only when he has superior (1) personal resolve and initiative (utsāha), (2) sovereign resources and authority (prabhu-śakti), and (3) strategic counsel and policy (mantra-śakti). If these are lacking, restraint is the ethical and prudent course.
In the Ashramavāsika context, Dhṛtarāṣṭra delivers counsel on kingship and conduct, emphasizing measured decision-making in warfare: attack only from a position of clear strength and sound counsel, otherwise avoid aggression.