Shloka 1
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Kaurava Champions (भीष्मकृतः रथिनां गुणनिरूपणम्)
पम्प बछ। अर: (रथातिरथसंख्यानपर्व) पज्चषष्ट्यधिकशततमो< ध्याय: दुर्योधनके पूछनेपर भीष्मका कौरवपक्षके रथियों और अतिरथियोंका परिचय देना धृतराष्ट उवाच प्रतिज्ञाते फाल्गुनेन वधे भीष्मस्य संयुगे । किमकुर्वत मे मन्दा: पुत्रा दुर्योधनादय:,धृतराष्ट्रने पूछा--संजय! जब अर्जुनने युद्धभूमिमें भीष्मका वध करनेकी प्रतिज्ञा कर ली, तब दुर्योधन आदि मेरे मूर्ख पुत्रोंने क्या किया?
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | pratijñāte phālgunena vadhe bhīṣmasya saṁyuge | kim akurvata me mandāḥ putrā duryodhanādayaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Sañjaya, when Phālguna (Arjuna) had vowed to slay Bhīṣma in the battle, what did my foolish sons—Duryodhana and the rest—do then?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a ruler’s attachment can distort judgment: Dhṛtarāṣṭra calls his own sons “foolish,” yet remains bound to them. It also underscores the ethical weight of a warrior’s vow (pratijñā) in dharma-yuddha—once declared, it drives strategy and consequences.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the Kauravas’ response after Arjuna publicly vowed to bring down Bhīṣma in battle. The query sets up an account of Kaurava planning and the identification of their leading fighters.