Shloka 51

Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)

Devanagari script

आददानस्य शत्त्र हि क्षत्रधर्म परीप्सत: | निधन क्षत्रियस्थाजौ वरमेवाहुरुत्तमम्‌

Transliteration

ādadānasya śastraṃ hi kṣatradharma-parīpsataḥ | nidhanaṃ kṣatriyasya ājau varam evāhur uttamam ||

Translation

ଧୃତରାଷ୍ଟ୍ର କହିଲେ—ଯେ କ୍ଷତ୍ରିୟ ଅସ୍ତ୍ର-ଶସ୍ତ୍ର ଧାରଣ କରି କ୍ଷାତ୍ରଧର୍ମ ରକ୍ଷା କରିବାକୁ ଚାହେ, ତାହା ପାଇଁ ରଣଭୂମିରେ ହେଉଥିବା ମୃତ୍ୟୁକୁ ହିଁ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ବୋଲି କୁହାଯାଇଛି।

Word by Word

• आददानस्य: of (one) taking/holding
• आददानस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आ + दा (धातु) → आददत् (शतृ-प्रत्यय) / आददान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• शस्त्र: weapon
• शस्त्र: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: शस्त्र
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• हि: indeed/for
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि

• क्षत्रधर्मम्: the duty of a kshatriya
• क्षत्रधर्मम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रधर्म
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• परीप्सतः: of (one) desiring to obtain/protect
• परीप्सतः: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परि + आप् (धातु) → परीप्सत् (शतृ-प्रत्यय) / परीप्सत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• निधनम्: death
• निधनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: निधन
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• क्षत्रियस्य: of a kshatriya
• क्षत्रियस्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षत्रिय
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• आहवे: in battle
• आहवे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहव
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• वरम्: better/preferable
• वरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• एव: only/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• आहुः: they say
• Type: Verb
• Root: अह् (धातु) / ब्रू (अर्थे) → आहुः (परस्मैपद)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्) (classical usage: present sense), Third, Plural

• उत्तमम्: the best/supreme
• उत्तमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उत्तम
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

धृतराष्ट उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• kṣatriya
• śastra (weapons)
• battlefield (āja)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

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.