Shloka 64

धृतराष्ट्र–दुर्योधन संवादः

Vāraṇāvata-vivāsana-nīti: Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Duryodhana’s Policy Dialogue

Devanagari script

अस्त्राणि वा शरीरं वा वरयैतन्मयोद्यतम्‌ | वृणीष्व किं प्रयच्छामि तुभ्यं द्रोण वदाशु तत्‌,अतः तुम अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका ज्ञान अथवा यह शरीर माँग लो। इसे देनेके लिये मैं सदा प्रस्तुत हूँ। द्रोण! बोलो, मैं तुम्हें क्या दूँ? शीघ्र उसे कहो

Transliteration

astrāṇi vā śarīraṃ vā varayaitanmayo dyatam | vṛṇīṣva kiṃ prayacchāmi tubhyaṃ droṇa vadāśu tat ||

Translation

Rāma said: “Choose—either my weapons (the martial lore and arms) or even my own body, which I hold ready for your sake. Decide what you wish. O Droṇa, tell me at once: what shall I grant you?” The verse frames a teacher–student exchange in which the giver binds himself by honor and generosity, offering even life itself to fulfill a pledged gift.

Word by Word

• {'astrāṇi': 'missile-weapons

• also the esoteric knowledge/mantras governing their use', 'śarīram': 'body

• one’s own person/life', 'vā': 'or', 'varaya': 'choose

• select (imperative)', 'etat': 'this', 'mayā': 'by me

• from me', 'udyatam': 'raised/ready

• prepared for action or offering', 'vṛṇīṣva': 'choose for yourself (imperative)', 'kim': 'what', 'prayacchāmi': 'I give

• I grant', 'tubhyam': 'to you', 'droṇa': 'Droṇa (vocative)', 'vada': 'say

• tell', 'āśu': 'quickly

• at once', 'tat': 'that (i.e., your choice/request)'}

Speaker

राम उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (speaker)
• Droṇa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharma expressed as steadfast generosity and fidelity to one’s word: a giver, bound by honor, offers even the highest stakes—martial power or personal life—to fulfill a promised grant, underscoring ethical responsibility in teacher–student dealings.

What is happening in the narrative?

Rāma addresses Droṇa and invites him to choose a boon immediately—either the weapons/weapon-lore or Rāma’s own body—signaling that Rāma stands fully prepared to give whatever Droṇa asks.