Shloka 4
द्रोण उदाच अश्वत्थाम्नि यथा पुत्रे भूयो मम धनंजये । बहुमान: परो राजन् संनतिश्व कपिध्वजे,द्रोणाचार्यने कहा--राजन! मेरा अपने पुत्र अश्वत्थामाके प्रति जैसा आदर है, उससे भी अधिक अर्जुनके प्रति है। कपिध्वज अर्जुनमें मेरे प्रति बहुत विनयभाव है
Droṇa uvāca—Aśvatthāmni yathā putre bhūyo mama Dhanañjaye; bahumānaḥ paro rājan, sannatiś ca Kapidhvaje.
Droṇa said: “O King, the regard I have for Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) is even greater than the affection I bear for my own son Aśvatthāman. Indeed, my esteem for him is supreme; and the monkey-bannered Arjuna also shows me deep humility and respectful deference.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of the guru–disciple bond: excellence and character can earn esteem even beyond familial attachment, and true learning is paired with humility and reverence toward one’s teacher.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Droṇa speaks to the king, stating that he honors Arjuna even more than his own son Aśvatthāman, and notes Arjuna’s respectful, humble conduct toward him.