Shloka 18
Ghaṭotkaca Slays Alāyudha (Night Battle and Māyā Countermeasures) / घटोत्कचेन अलायुधवधः
पुत्राणामिव चैतेषां धर्ममाचरतां सदा । द्रहोत् को नु नरो लोके मदन्यो ब्राह्मणब्रुव:,पाण्डव मेरे पुत्रके समान हैं और वे सदा धर्मका आचरण करते रहते हैं। संसारमें मेरे सिवा दूसरा कौन मनुष्य है, जो ब्राह्मण कहलाकर भी उनसे द्रोह करे
putrāṇām iva caiteṣāṃ dharmam ācaratāṃ sadā | drohāt ko nu naro loke mad-anyo brāhmaṇa-bruvaḥ ||
Para Pāṇḍava bagiku laksana putra-putraku sendiri, dan mereka senantiasa menempuh dharma. Di dunia ini, siapa—selain aku—yang begitu hina hingga menyandang nama brāhmaṇa namun berkhianat kepada mereka?
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
True brahminhood is measured by conduct aligned with dharma, not by mere claim; betraying the righteous—especially those regarded as one’s own—is morally reprehensible and invites self-condemnation.
Sañjaya expresses remorse and moral conflict: he acknowledges the Pāṇḍavas’ constant adherence to dharma and condemns the idea of acting treacherously toward them while still being called a brāhmaṇa.