Shloka 21
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
पुत्रादनन्तरं शिष्य इति धर्मविदो विदु: । एतेनापि निमित्तेन प्रियो द्रोणस्य पाण्डव:,धर्मज्ञ पुरुष ऐसा मानते हैं कि गुरुको पुत्रके बाद शिष्य ही प्रिय होता है, इस कारणसे भी पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन आचार्य द्रोणको प्रिय हैं [अतः वे उनकी प्रशंसा क्यों न करें?]
putrād anantaraṁ śiṣya iti dharmavido viduḥ | etena api nimittena priyo droṇasya pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Kṛpa dijo: «Quienes conocen el dharma sostienen que, después del propio hijo, el discípulo es lo más querido. Por esta razón también, el Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) es amado por Droṇa; por ello es del todo apropiado que Droṇa lo alabe».
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharma-based social ethic: a worthy disciple is regarded as nearly as dear as one’s own son, underscoring the sanctity of the guru–śiṣya bond and legitimizing a teacher’s special affection and praise for an exemplary student.
Kṛpa explains why Droṇa’s favorable words about Arjuna are natural and justified: since dharma-teachers consider a disciple second only to a son in affection, Droṇa’s fondness for Arjuna provides an additional reason for praising him.