Shloka 51
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
आददानस्य शत्त्र हि क्षत्रधर्म परीप्सत: | निधन क्षत्रियस्थाजौ वरमेवाहुरुत्तमम्
ādadānasya śastraṃ hi kṣatradharma-parīpsataḥ | nidhanaṃ kṣatriyasya ājau varam evāhur uttamam ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : « Pour un kṣatriya qui prend les armes et veut préserver le dharma du guerrier, la mort sur le champ de bataille est proclamée comme la fin la meilleure et la plus éminente. »
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts a classical kṣatriya ethic: when a warrior upholds kṣātra-dharma by taking up arms for rightful combat, dying in battle is considered the highest and most honorable outcome.
In the Udyoga Parva’s negotiations and preparations for war, Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a traditional justification of warrior duty, emphasizing that a kṣatriya committed to his role should regard battlefield death as an श्रेष्ठ (excellent) end.