Shloka 38
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा तथा द्रोणविषयकप्रश्नाः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fainting and Questions Concerning Droṇa
पश्यतां पुरुषेन्द्राणां समरे पार्षतो5वधीत् । संजय! जिनके यश और बलका तिरस्कार होना असम्भव था, उन दुर्धर्ष वीर द्रोणाचार्यको समरभूमिमें सम्पूर्ण नरेशोंके देखते-देखते धृष्टद्युम्नने कैसे मार डाला? ।। के पुरस्तादयुध्यन्त रक्षन्तो द्रोणमन्तिकात्
paśyatāṃ puruṣendrāṇāṃ samare pārṣato ’vadhīt | sañjaya, yasya yaśo-bala-tiraskāro ’sambhavas te durdharṣaṃ vīraṃ droṇācāryaṃ samara-bhūmau samasta-nareśānāṃ paśyatāṃ paśyatāṃ dhṛṣṭadyumno kathaṃ jaghāna || ke purastād ayudhyanta rakṣanto droṇam antikāt ||
ドリタラーシュトラ王は言った。「戦場にて諸王の眼前で、パールシャタ（ドリシュタデュムナ）はドローナーチャーリヤを討った—その名声と武威を誰も侮り得ぬ、侵し難き英雄を。サンジャヤよ、諸侯が見守る中で、ドリシュタデュムナはいかにして戦場のドローナを殺し得たのか。さらに、近くでドローナを守りつつ前面で戦っていたのは誰であったのか。」
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral shock of a revered teacher and seemingly invincible warrior being slain in full view of the assembled kings. It frames a dharmic tension: in war, even the most honored figures can fall when strategy, circumstance, and the erosion of ethical boundaries converge, prompting reflection on how power and reputation do not guarantee protection.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya about the circumstances of Droṇa’s death: how Dhṛṣṭadyumna managed to kill the formidable Droṇācārya despite many kings watching, and who among the warriors were positioned in front and nearby as Droṇa’s protectors during the crucial moment.