Shloka 6
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
पाण्डवानां प्रतापेन दुर्ग देशं निवेश्य च । सपत्नान् सततं बाधन्नार्यवृत्तिमनुछित:
pāṇḍavānāṃ pratāpena durga-deśaṃ niveśya ca | sapatnān satataṃ bādhan ārya-vṛttim anucchitaḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : «Pressé par la vaillance des Pāṇḍava, il se retira et se mit à l’abri dans une place forte difficile d’accès. Pourtant, tout en harcelant sans relâche ses rivaux, il se mit aussi à se conduire selon l’usage noble et la droiture.»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid hostility and tactical warfare, one is expected to uphold ārya-vṛtti—noble, dharmic standards of conduct—showing that ethical restraint is not automatically negated by conflict.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes a figure compelled by the Pāṇḍavas’ strength to retreat into an inaccessible stronghold; from there he continually troubles his opponents, yet is portrayed as maintaining socially approved, ‘noble’ conduct.