Shloka 22
Jayadratha-rakṣā: Conch Signals and Encirclement of Arjuna
Chapter 79
कृतज्ञानां वदान्यानां गुरुशुश्रूषिणामपि । सहस्रदक्षिणानां च या गतिस्तामवाप्रुहि
sañjaya uvāca | kṛtajñānāṁ vadānyānāṁ guruśuśrūṣiṇām api | sahasradakṣiṇānāṁ ca yā gatis tām avāpruhi ||
Sañjaya dit : «Dis-moi quel état ultime obtiennent ceux qui savent la gratitude et se souviennent des bienfaits reçus, ceux qui sont généreux, ceux qui servent fidèlement leurs maîtres, et ceux qui donnent par milliers en dakṣiṇā, les honoraires du sacrifice. Déclare-moi cette destinée.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights classical dharmic virtues—gratitude, generosity, devoted service to one’s teacher, and large-scale charitable giving (dakṣiṇā)—and frames them as causes of a higher ‘gati’ (destiny). It implies that ethical character and reverence for learning/teachers are spiritually consequential, not merely social virtues.
Sanjaya, in the course of reporting and reflecting within the Drona Parva, poses an inquiry about the ultimate destination attained by people distinguished by gratitude, liberality, faithful service to gurus, and lavish ritual/charitable gifts. The line functions as a prompt for a response about the fruits of such conduct.