Shloka 15
द्रौपदी-शैब्यसंवादः — Draupadī’s Identification and Counsel on Hospitality
भीष्मद्रोणौ कृपद्रौणी विदुर: संजयस्तथा । बाह्लीकः सौमदत्तिश्न ये चान्ये वृद्धसम्मता:
bhīṣmadroṇau kṛpadrauṇī viduraḥ sañjayastathā | bāhlīkaḥ saumadattiś ca ye cānye vṛddhasammatāḥ ||
Duryodhana said: “Bhishma and Drona, Kripa and Drona’s son (Ashvatthama), Vidura and Sanjaya as well; Bahlika and Somadatta’s son (Bhūrishravas), and any other elders held in reverence—what will such venerable men, along with Brahmins, leading Vaishyas, and those who keep a neutral stance, say to me? And what answer shall I give them?”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful ruler remains answerable to dharma as embodied by elders, teachers, and socially respected groups; fear of their judgment highlights the ethical weight of public and familial accountability.
Duryodhana anticipates scrutiny from revered Kuru elders and influential social groups and worries about what they will say regarding his conduct and what justification he can offer in response.