Shloka 26
सेयं नीत्यर्थविज्ञेषु भीष्मद्रोणकृपादिषु । स्थितेषु कुलनाथेषु कथमापदुपागता
vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca | seyaṃ nītyarthavijñeṣu bhīṣmadroṇakṛpādiṣu | sthiteṣu kulanātheṣu katham āpad upāgatā ||
Bagaimana bencana ini menimpa kami, padahal Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, dan para sesepuh lainnya—yang amat paham tentang nīti dan artha—berdiri hadir sebagai pelindung dan tuan bagi wangsa kami?
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical shock of societal collapse: even when renowned elders skilled in nīti (right policy) and artha (practical welfare) are present as guardians, calamity can still arise—implying that mere presence of authority is insufficient without effective, dharmic action.
The speaker voices astonishment and grief that a grave misfortune has befallen the Kuru household despite the presence of eminent elders—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa—who are expected to protect the lineage and guide it through crises.