Shloka 2
Daśame’hani Bhīṣma-yuddham — Śikhaṇḍī-rakṣaṇa, Arjuna-prabhāva, Duryodhana-āśraya-vākyam
प्रियो हि पाण्डवो नित्यं भारद्वाजस्य धीमत: । आचार्य क्ष रणे नित्यं प्रिय: पार्थस्य संजय
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | priyo hi pāṇḍavo nityaṃ bhāradvājasya dhīmataḥ | ācārya raṇe nityaṃ priyaḥ pārthasya sañjaya sūta |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “For the wise son of Bhāradvāja (Droṇa), the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) has always been dear. And in battle too, O Sañjaya, the charioteer, the teacher has always been dear to Pārtha (Arjuna).”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war, personal bonds—especially the guru–disciple relationship—remain powerful. The verse highlights the ethical tension between duty in battle and enduring affection, reminding readers that dharma operates amid complex human relationships.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the battlefield dynamics, noting the long-standing mutual affection between Droṇa and Arjuna. This sets up concern about how such closeness might influence conduct and outcomes in the Kurukṣetra war.