Shloka 3
द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय १) — भीष्मनिधनानन्तरं धृतराष्ट्रस्य शोकः, सेनायाः स्थितिः, कर्णस्मरणं च
Droṇa Parva, Chapter 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief after Bhīṣma’s fall and the army’s reorientation toward Karṇa
तस्य पुत्रो हि भगवन् भीष्मद्रोणमुखै रथै: । पराजित्य महेष्वासान् पाण्डवान् राज्यमिच्छति,भगवन्! उनका पुत्र दुर्योधन भीष्म, द्रोण आदि महारथियोंके द्वारा महाधनुर्धर पाण्डवोंको पराजित करके स्वयं राज्य हथिया लेना चाहता था
tasya putro hi bhagavan bhīṣma-droṇa-mukhair rathaiḥ | parājitya maheṣvāsān pāṇḍavān rājyam icchati bhagavan ||
Janamejaya said: “Revered sir, his son Duryodhana—relying on the chariot-warriors led by Bhīṣma and Droṇa—seeks to defeat the great bowmen, the Pāṇḍavas, and then seize the kingdom for himself. In this, the drive for sovereignty is shown as resting not on rightful conduct but on overpowering force and ambition.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the pursuit of political power can become ethically compromised when it is driven by desire to seize what is not rightfully one’s own, even when supported by formidable elders and warriors. Strength and alliances do not by themselves confer dharmic legitimacy.
Janamejaya describes Duryodhana’s intention: with Bhīṣma and Droṇa leading powerful chariot-warriors, he aims to defeat the Pāṇḍavas—renowned as great archers—and take the kingdom for himself.