Shloka 28
पितामहमश्न द्रोणश्न॒ कृप: शल्य: शलस्तथा । अस्त्रेषु यत् प्रजानन्ति सर्व तनन््मयि विद्यते,“पितामह भीष्म, आचार्य द्रोण, कृपाचार्य, शल्य तथा शल--ये लोग अस्त्रविद्याके विषयमें जो कुछ जानते हैं, वह सारा ज्ञान मुझमें विद्यमान है”
pitāmaham aśna droṇam aśna kṛpaḥ śalyaḥ śalas tathā | astreṣu yat prajānanti sarvaṃ tan mayi vidyate ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Tout le savoir des armes et de leur usage que possèdent le Grand-père Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Śalya, et de même Śala—toute cette maîtrise se trouve en moi.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the concentration of martial expertise in a single person, underscoring that great power—especially weapon-knowledge—carries ethical gravity. In the Mahābhārata’s war context, such mastery is not merely skill but a force that can uphold or devastate dharma depending on intent and restraint.
In Udyoga Parva’s build-up to war, a speaker (reported by Vaiśampāyana) proclaims that the combined weapon-lore of famed elders and champions—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Śalya, and Śala—resides in him, asserting readiness and superiority as tensions escalate toward Kurukṣetra.