Shloka 5
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
सर्व बल॑ परित्यज्य दुर्ग संश्रित्य तिष्तति,पहले तो वह समस्त सेनाका परित्याग करके (अकेला ही) दुर्गमें छिपा रहता था। फिर पाण्डवोंके प्रतापसे दुर्गम प्रदेशमें रहकर निरन्तर शत्रुओंको बाधा पहुँचाते हुए सदाचारका पालन करने लगा
sarva-balaṁ parityajya durgaṁ saṁśritya tiṣṭhati
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Having abandoned all military support, he took refuge in a fort and remained there. Earlier he had withdrawn from the entire army and stayed hidden in the stronghold alone; later, under the pressure of the Pāṇḍavas’ prowess, he lived in difficult terrain, continually obstructing the enemy while maintaining the conduct of the righteous.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid warfare and tactical retreat, one is expected to uphold sadācāra (ethical discipline). The verse juxtaposes survival strategy (taking refuge in a fort, operating from difficult terrain) with the insistence on maintaining righteous conduct.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes a figure who, after abandoning full military backing, hides in a fort. Later, compelled by the Pāṇḍavas’ power, he shifts to rugged, hard-to-reach regions and continues to hinder the enemy while claiming adherence to proper conduct.