Shloka 2
अध्याय ६६: संजयेन जनार्दन-प्रभाववर्णनम्
Sañjaya on Janārdana’s Decisive Sovereignty
उत्थितेषु महाराज पृथिव्यां सर्वराजसु । रहिते संजयं राजा परिप्रष्टूं प्रचक्रमे,महाराज! भूमण्डलके सब राजा जब सभाभवनसे उठ गये, तब अपने पुत्रोंकी विजय चाहनेवाले तथा उन्हींके वशमें रहनेवाले राजा धृतराष्ट्रने वहाँ एकान्तमें अपनी, दूसरोंकी और पाण्डवोंकी जय-पराजयके विषयमें संजयका निश्चित मत जाननेके लिये उनसे कुछ और बातें पूछनी प्रारम्भ की
utthiteṣu mahārāja pṛthivyāṃ sarvarājasu | rahite saṃjayaṃ rājā paripraṣṭuṃ pracakrame ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Oh rey, cuando todos los reyes de la tierra se hubieron levantado y partido, el rey Dhṛtarāṣṭra, al hallar a Saṃjaya a solas, comenzó a interrogarlo de nuevo—buscando un juicio claro y definitivo sobre la victoria y la derrota, para sí mismo, para los otros y para los Pāṇḍava».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s dependence on counsel and the moral tension of partiality: Dhṛtarāṣṭra seeks a ‘definite’ assessment of victory and defeat in private, revealing anxiety and attachment to his side. Ethically, it points to how secrecy and desire-driven inquiry can shape political decisions, often at the expense of impartial dharma.
After the assembled kings leave, Dhṛtarāṣṭra finds Saṃjaya alone and begins questioning him further. He wants Saṃjaya’s settled opinion regarding who will win or lose—his own party, the others, and the Pāṇḍavas—setting up a private consultation amid the escalating conflict.