Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 10
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 52: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava Strength and the Case for Restraint
धृत्या च पुरुषव्याप्रो नैभृत्येन च पाण्डव: । अनृशंसो वदान्यश्व हीमान् सत्यपराक्रम:
dhṛtyā ca puruṣavyāpro naibhṛtyena ca pāṇḍavaḥ | anṛśaṃso vadānyaś ca hīmān satyaparākramaḥ ||
वह पाण्डव धैर्य के कारण पुरुषसिंह-सा तेजस्वी है और सेवाभाव की निष्ठा से अनुशासित है। वह अनृशंस (करुण) और दानी है; वह लज्जाशील/संयमी है, और उसका पराक्रम सत्य पर आधारित है।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical portrait of ideal leadership: true strength is not mere force but disciplined energy guided by compassion, generosity, self-restraint, and truth. Valor becomes dharmic when it is anchored in satya and tempered by non-cruelty.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on the qualities of a Pāṇḍava prince, acknowledging his moral and martial excellence—steadfast resolve, disciplined conduct, humane disposition, and truth-based heroism—qualities that heighten the gravity of opposing him.