Shloka 6
धृतराष्ट्रस्य बलाबलचिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Strength and Preference for Śama
(ईदृशेडभिनिविष्टस्य पृथिवीक्षयकारके । अधर्म्यें चायशस्ये वा कार्ये महति दारुणे ।।
īdṛśe 'bhiniviṣṭasya pṛthivīkṣayakārake | adharmyeṃ cāyaśasye vā kārye mahati dāruṇe || pāṇḍavair vigrahas tāta sarvathā me na rocate || ātmajeṣu paraṃ snehaṃ sarvabhūtāni kurvate | priyāṇi caiṣāṃ kurvanti yathāśakti hitāni ca ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: «Persistir con tal obstinación en una empresa que traería la ruina a toda la tierra—un acto contrario al dharma, que multiplica la deshonra y es de extrema crueldad—no me complace en absoluto. Hijo mío, no puedo aprobar de ningún modo que abras hostilidades con los Pāṇḍavas. Pues todos los seres del mundo sienten el más hondo afecto por sus propios hijos y, según su capacidad, se esfuerzan por hacer lo que les es grato y beneficioso».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Obstinate pursuit of a war that destroys the world is condemned as adharma, a source of disgrace, and cruelty; wise counsel urges restraint and welfare-oriented action, grounded in the universal ethic of protecting one’s own children and dependents.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports a speaker’s disapproval of initiating conflict with the Pāṇḍavas, warning that such a course would devastate the earth and bring unrighteousness and infamy; the argument is reinforced by appealing to the natural, universal affection beings have for their children and their impulse to act for their good.