Shloka 5
Adhyāya 20 — Rājadharma Argument for Paternal Inheritance and Timely Conciliation
धृतराष्ट्रस्य ये पुत्रा: प्राप्तं तैः पैतृकं वसु । पाण्डुपुत्रा: कथं नाम न प्राप्ता: पैतृक वसु
dhṛtarāṣṭrasya ye putrāḥ prāptaṃ taiḥ paitṛkaṃ vasu | pāṇḍuputrāḥ kathaṃ nāma na prāptāḥ paitṛkaṃ vasu ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons have obtained the ancestral wealth. How, then, have the sons of Pāṇḍu not obtained that same paternal inheritance? Since Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Pāṇḍu are both renowned sons of one father, their claim to the patrimony is equal—there is no doubt in this. Yet the Kauravas have taken the inheritance; why are the Pāṇḍavas denied what is rightfully theirs?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma in matters of inheritance: when heirs share the same paternal line, denying one branch its rightful share is adharma and becomes a moral seed of larger conflict.
Vaiśampāyana highlights the central grievance behind the impending war: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons have taken control of the ancestral kingdom/wealth, while Pāṇḍu’s sons are excluded despite having an equal claim.