Shloka 5
Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
राजा तु धृतराष्ट्रोड्यं वयोवृद्धो न शाम्यति । मत्त: पुत्रमदेनैव विधर्मे पथि वर्तते,“यह राजा धृतराष्ट्र बूढ़े हो जानेपर भी शान्त नहीं हो रहे हैं। पुत्रोंक मदसे उन्मत्त हो अधर्मके मार्गपर ही चलते हैं
rājā tu dhṛtarāṣṭro ’dyaṃ vayovṛddho na śāmyati | mattaḥ putramadenaiva vidharmapathi vartate ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Even now King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, though advanced in years, does not grow calm. Intoxicated by the pride of his sons, he continues to walk only on the path of unrighteousness—showing how attachment and delusion can overpower age, counsel, and moral restraint.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Age and status do not guarantee wisdom: when a ruler is intoxicated by attachment and pride in his children, he may fail to restrain himself and persist in adharma, endangering both personal integrity and the kingdom.
Vaiśampāyana characterizes Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s state of mind during the tense pre-war negotiations: despite being elderly, he remains unpacified and, driven by pride in his sons, continues to support an unrighteous course.