अध्याय ४ — भीष्मेन कर्णोत्साहनम्
Bhīṣma’s Encouragement of Karṇa
यथा दुर्योधनस्तात सज्ञातिकुलबान्धव: । तथा त्वमपि सर्वेषां कौरवाणां गतिर्भव,“तात! कुटुम्बी, कुल और बन्धु-बान्धवोंसहित दुर्योधन जैसे सब कौरवोंका आधार है, उसी प्रकार तुम भी कौरवोंके आश्रयदाता बनो
yathā duryodhanas tāta sa-jñāti-kula-bāndhavaḥ | tathā tvam api sarveṣāṃ kauravāṇāṃ gatir bhava ||
ਹੇ ਤਾਤ! ਜਿਵੇਂ ਦੁਰਯੋਧਨ ਆਪਣੇ ਸਗੇ-ਸੰਬੰਧੀਆਂ, ਕੁਲ ਅਤੇ ਬੰਧੂ-ਬਾਂਧਵਾਂ ਸਮੇਤ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੌਰਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਆਸਰਾ ਹੈ, ਤਿਵੇਂ ਤੂੰ ਵੀ ਸਾਰੇ ਕੌਰਵਾਂ ਲਈ ਆਸਰਾ ਤੇ ਗਤੀ ਬਣ।
संजय उवाच
The verse frames leadership as becoming a 'gati'—a refuge and dependable support—for one’s community. It emphasizes responsibility to uphold and protect one’s people, especially in crisis, by providing steadiness and guidance.
Sañjaya reports a statement urging someone (addressed affectionately as 'tāta') to act as the sustaining support for the Kauravas, paralleling Duryodhana’s role as their central pillar along with his kin and allies.