Shloka 4
धृतराष्ट्रस्य संजयप्रश्नः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Inquiry to Saṃjaya on Strategic Comparisons
पितामहं शान्तनवं धृतराष्ट्रं च संजय । द्रोणं कृपं च कर्ण च महाराजं च बाह्विकम्
pitāmahaṃ śāntanavaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ ca saṃjaya | droṇaṃ kṛpaṃ ca karṇaṃ ca mahārājaṃ ca bāhvīkam ||
संजय! शान्तनुनन्दन पितामह भीष्म, राजा धृतराष्ट्र, आचार्य द्रोण, कृपाचार्य, कर्ण और महाराज बाह्लीक—इन सबको मेरी ओर से यथायोग्य प्रणाम कहकर उनका कुशल-मंगल पूछना।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even on the brink of war, the epic foregrounds maryādā (proper conduct): elders and teachers are to be addressed with honor and their welfare enquired after, highlighting the tension between social-ethical duties and impending violence.
A message is being framed for delivery: Sañjaya is instructed to greet leading Kuru figures—Bhīṣma, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and Bāhlīka—formally acknowledging their status as the conflict escalates.