Shloka 4
Kṛṣṇasya Karṇam Prati Sāntvavacana
Kṛṣṇa’s Conciliatory Address to Karṇa
द्रोण उदाच अश्वत्थाम्नि यथा पुत्रे भूयो मम धनंजये । बहुमान: परो राजन् संनतिश्व कपिध्वजे
Droṇa uvāca—Aśvatthāmni yathā putre bhūyo mama Dhanañjaye; bahumānaḥ paro rājan, sannatiś ca Kapidhvaje.
Droṇa berkata: “Wahai Raja, penghormatanku kepada Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) bahkan lebih besar daripada kasihku kepada anakku sendiri, Aśvatthāman. Sesungguhnya, sanjunganku kepadanya adalah yang tertinggi; dan Arjuna yang bertunggalkan panji bergambar kera itu juga menunjukkan kepadaku kerendahan hati serta takzim yang mendalam.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of the guru–disciple bond: excellence and character can earn esteem even beyond familial attachment, and true learning is paired with humility and reverence toward one’s teacher.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Droṇa speaks to the king, stating that he honors Arjuna even more than his own son Aśvatthāman, and notes Arjuna’s respectful, humble conduct toward him.