Shloka 4
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
द्रोणकर्णो प्रतीयातां यदि वीरौ नरर्षभौ । कृतास्त्रौ बलिनां श्रेष्ठी समरेष्वपराजितौ,यदि बलवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ, अस्त्रविद्याके पारंगत विद्वान् तथा युद्धमें कभी पराजित न होनेवाले, मनुष्योंमें अग्रगण्य वीरवर द्रोणाचार्य और कर्ण अर्जुनका सामना करनेके लिये आगे बढ़ें तो भी मुझे अर्जुनपर विजय प्राप्त होनेमें महान् संदेह रहेगा। मैं तो देखता हूँ मेरी विजय होगी ही नहीं; क्योंकि कर्ण दयालु और प्रमादी है और आचार्य द्रोण वृद्ध होनेके साथ ही अर्जुनके गुरु हैं
droṇakarṇau pratīyātāṃ yadi vīrau nararṣabhau | kṛtāstrau balināṃ śreṣṭhau samareṣv aparājitau ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Even if the two bull-like heroes among men—Droṇa and Karṇa—advance to face (Arjuna), both fully trained in weapons, foremost among the strong, and undefeated in battles, I still feel great doubt that victory over Arjuna can be won. For I see no sure triumph for my side: Karṇa is compassionate and prone to lapses, and Droṇa, besides being aged, is also Arjuna’s own teacher.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and reputation do not guarantee righteous success: inner qualities (compassion, carelessness) and moral bonds (a teacher’s attachment to his disciple) can limit even the mightiest warriors. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s doubt also reflects how adharma-driven ambition breeds insecurity rather than confidence.
In Udyoga Parva, as war becomes imminent, Dhṛtarāṣṭra assesses his champions. He acknowledges that even if Droṇa and Karṇa—celebrated, undefeated, and expertly trained—confront Arjuna, he still fears defeat, citing Karṇa’s softness and negligence and Droṇa’s age and his role as Arjuna’s guru.