Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
आददानस्य शत्त्र हि क्षत्रधर्म परीप्सत: | निधन क्षत्रियस्थाजौ वरमेवाहुरुत्तमम्
ādadānasya śastraṃ hi kṣatradharma-parīpsataḥ | nidhanaṃ kṣatriyasya ājau varam evāhur uttamam ||
ドリタラーシュトラは言った。「武器を執り、武人の法(クシャトリヤ・ダルマ)を守ろうとするクシャトリヤにとって、戦場での死こそ最上にして最も優れた終わりと宣言される。」
धृतराष्ट उवाच
The verse asserts a classical kṣatriya ethic: when a warrior upholds kṣātra-dharma by taking up arms for rightful combat, dying in battle is considered the highest and most honorable outcome.
In the Udyoga Parva’s negotiations and preparations for war, Dhṛtarāṣṭra articulates a traditional justification of warrior duty, emphasizing that a kṣatriya committed to his role should regard battlefield death as an श्रेष्ठ (excellent) end.