Shloka 87
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
निहत्य सर्वान् धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रां- स्तत्पक्षिणो ये च नरेन्द्रमुख्या: । राज्येन राजानमजातश््रुं सम्पादयिष्याम्यहमद्य हृष्ट:
nihātya sarvān dhṛtarāṣṭraputrān tatpakṣiṇo ye ca narendramukhyāḥ | rājyena rājānam ajātaśatruṃ sampādayiṣyāmy aham adya hṛṣṭaḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : «Après avoir tué tous les fils de Dhṛtarāṣṭra, ainsi que les rois les plus éminents qui se tiennent de leur côté, aujourd’hui—dans l’allégresse—j’assurerai le royaume au roi Ajātaśatru.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: political order and rightful kingship are envisioned as being restored through violent victory. It implicitly raises the Mahābhārata’s recurring question—whether dharma can be established by adharma-like means, and what moral cost accompanies the pursuit of sovereignty.
Sañjaya reports a triumphant intention: after killing Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons and their allied kings, the speaker expects to secure the kingdom for Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira) that very day, expressing exultation at the prospect of decisive victory.