Shloka 20
Hiḍimbā’s Account and the Bhīma–Hiḍimba Engagement (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १४२)
दुर्योधन उवाच मध्यस्थ: सततं भीष्मो द्रोणपुत्रो मयि स्थित: । यतः: पुत्रस्ततो द्रोणो भविता नात्र संशय:,दुर्योधन बोला--पिताजी! भीष्म तो सदा ही मध्यस्थ हैं, द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा मेरे पक्षमें हैं, द्रोणाचार्य भी उधर ही रहेंगे, जिधर उनका पुत्र होगा--इसमें तनिक भी संशय नहीं है
duryodhana uvāca madhyasthaḥ satataṃ bhīṣmo droṇaputro mayi sthitaḥ | yataḥ putras tato droṇo bhavitā nātra saṃśayaḥ ||
Duryodhana disse: “Pai, Bhīṣma permanece sempre imparcial. Mas o filho de Droṇa está do meu lado; e onde estiver o filho, ali Droṇa certamente estará—não há dúvida.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a tension between dharmic impartiality and the pull of personal attachment: Bhīṣma is portrayed as neutral, while Duryodhana assumes Droṇa’s allegiance will follow Aśvatthāmā, showing how relationships can override ethical neutrality in political conflict.
Duryodhana is assessing who will support his cause. He notes Bhīṣma’s consistent middle position, but takes confidence that Aśvatthāmā is on his side and therefore believes Droṇa will also side with him, since a father is expected to follow his son’s alignment.