Shloka 3
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Restraining Duryodhana (व्यास-धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
परित्यक्तुंन शक्नोमि दुर्योधनमचेतनम् । पुत्रस्नेहेन भगवन् जानन्नपि प्रियव्रत,भगवन! प्रियव्रत! मैं यह जानता हूँ कि दुर्योधन अविवेकी है, तो भी पुत्रस्नेहके कारण मैं उसका त्याग नहीं कर सकता
parityaktuṁ na śaknomi duryodhanam acetanaṁ | putrasnehena bhagavan jānann api priyavrata ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O revered one, dear keeper of sacred vows, I know Duryodhana is foolish and lacking discernment; yet, bound by a father’s love, I cannot bring myself to abandon him.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment (putra-sneha) can overpower discernment and dharma: even when one knows a course is wrong, emotional bonds can prevent decisive ethical action—especially dangerous for a king whose choices affect many.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks to a revered interlocutor, confessing that he recognizes Duryodhana’s lack of wisdom yet cannot renounce him. This confession frames the larger tragedy: the elder’s partiality enables Duryodhana’s harmful path.