Shloka 223
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
तस्माच्छस्त्रेण निधन न त्वमर्हसि दुर्मते । उसकी उस अस्पष्ट वाणीको सुनकर द्रोणपुत्रने कहा--'रे कुलकलंक! अपने आचार्यकी हत्या करनेवाले लोगोंके लिये पुण्यलोक नहीं है; अतः दुर्मते! तू शस्त्रके द्वारा मारे जानेके योग्य नहीं है”
tasmāc chastreṇa nidhanaṁ na tvam arhasi durmate |
Dijo Sañjaya: «Por eso, oh malintencionado, no mereces morir por el arma». Al oír aquella voz confusa, el hijo de Droṇa dijo: «¡Oprobio de tu linaje! Para quienes matan a su maestro no hay mundo de mérito; por tanto, oh de mente perversa, no eres digno de ser muerto por la espada».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that certain acts—especially betrayal or killing of one’s teacher (guru)—strip a person of the honor due to a lawful warrior’s death. Ethical transgression leads not only to punishment but also to loss of dignity and rightful status.
In the Sauptika Parva’s tense aftermath of Drona’s killing and the night of retaliatory violence, Sañjaya reports a statement declaring that the addressed offender is not fit to be slain in a straightforward, honorable weapon-combat manner, implying a more ignominious consequence.