Shloka 15
Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)
समुपेक्षितवान् नित्यं स्वयं स मम पुत्रक: । गान्धार्या वचन यत् तदृषीणां च परंतप
samupekṣitavān nityaṁ svayaṁ sa mama putrakaḥ | gāndhāryā vacanaṁ yat tad ṛṣīṇāṁ ca parantapa ||
वासुदेव बोले— ‘हे परंतप! मेरा वह पुत्र अपने ही मन से सदा गान्धारी की सीख और ऋषियों के वचनों की उपेक्षा करता रहा। धर्मयुक्त उपदेश को तजकर उसने विनाश की ओर ले जाने वाला मार्ग चुन लिया।’
वसुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores an ethical principle central to the Mahābhārata: willfully ignoring the counsel of the wise—especially elders and seers who speak from dharma—invites downfall. Moral agency is emphasized: the person neglects advice “svayam,” by his own choice, making him accountable for the consequences.
In the Mausala Parva’s aftermath of catastrophe, Vasudeva laments and reflects on how destructive outcomes were preceded by repeated disregard of warnings. He points to the ignored counsel of Gāndhārī and the ṛṣis as a sign that the doomed course had been chosen despite clear admonitions.