Shloka 3
द्रोणसेनापत्यं, व्यूहविन्यासः, उत्पातदर्शनं, आरम्भयुद्धम्
Droṇa’s Command, Battle-Formations, Omens, and Opening Engagement
तपसा च कृतज्ञत्वाद वृद्ध: सर्वगुणैरपि । युक्तो भवत्समो गोप्ता राज्ञामन्यो न विद्यते
tapasā ca kṛtajñatvād vṛddhaḥ sarvaguṇair api | yukto bhavatsamo goptā rājñām anyo na vidyate ||
ತಪಸ್ಸು, ಕೃತಜ್ಞತೆ, ಹಿರಿಯತ್ವ ಮತ್ತು ಸರ್ವಗುಣಗಳಿಂದ ಯುಕ್ತನಾದ ನೀವೇ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸಮಾನ ಯೋಗ್ಯ ರಕ್ಷಕನು; ಈ ರಾಜರಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಮ್ಮಂತ ಮತ್ತೊಬ್ಬ ಪಾಲಕನಿಲ್ಲ.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal guardianship as grounded in tapas (self-discipline), kṛtajñatā (gratitude/loyal recognition of obligations), seniority, and comprehensive virtue—suggesting that legitimate protection of a realm depends on moral qualities, not merely power.
In the Drona Parva context, Duryodhana is addressing a respected elder/leader and extolling his qualifications as a uniquely capable protector among kings, using formal praise to affirm authority and secure committed leadership in the ongoing war.