Shloka 5
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
महान् स्यात् संशयो लोके न त्वस्ति विजयो मम । घृणी कर्ण: प्रमादी च आचार्य: स्थविरो गुरु:
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | mahān syāt saṁśayo loke na tv asti vijayo mama | ghṛṇī karṇaḥ pramādī ca ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : «Il y aurait dans le monde un grand doute, et pour moi, la victoire n’est pas. Quand bien même Karṇa—compatissant mais sujet aux fautes—et le Maître Droṇa—âgé et, de surcroît, le propre guru d’Arjuna—s’avanceraient pour affronter Arjuna, je vois encore une lourde incertitude quant à la possibilité de le vaincre. Oui, je ne discerne aucun triomphe assuré pour mon camp.»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and strategic fragility of an unjust cause: even with renowned champions, victory is uncertain when key warriors have ethical constraints (compassion) or conflicted loyalties (a guru facing his own disciple). It also underscores how inner doubt and divided commitment can undermine outward strength.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on the impending conflict and confesses his lack of confidence. He reasons that even if Karṇa and Droṇa confront Arjuna, success is doubtful—because Karṇa’s compassion and carelessness may weaken him, and Droṇa is both elderly and bound by the teacher-student bond with Arjuna.