Shloka 7
अर्जुन-माहात्म्य-चिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Arjuna’s Strategic Supremacy
सर्वे हस्त्रविद: शूरा: सर्वे प्राप्ता महद् यश: । अपि सर्वामरैश्वर्य त्यजेयुर्न पुनर्जयम्
sarve hastravidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve prāptā mahad yaśaḥ | api sarvāmareśvaryaṃ tyajeyur na punaḥ jayam ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra dit : «Tous les Pāṇḍava sont maîtres des armes, tous sont vaillants, et tous ont acquis une grande renommée. Ils pourraient même renoncer à une souveraineté égale à celle des dieux, mais ils ne se détourneraient pas de la victoire.»
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the intensity of kṣatriya resolve: for renowned warriors, the pursuit of victory and honor can outweigh even the allure of divine sovereignty. Ethically, it warns how attachment to triumph can eclipse compromise and deepen conflict.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on the Pāṇḍavas’ martial competence and reputation, emphasizing that they are unlikely to relinquish their aim of victory. This frames the political situation as moving toward war because the opposing side’s determination is unwavering.