Shloka 5
Aśvatthāmā’s Buddhi-Doctrine and Nocturnal Incursion Resolve (अश्वत्थाम्नः बुद्धिविचारः सौप्तिकसंकल्पश्च)
“सभी लोग अपने-आपको अधिक बुद्धिमान् समझते हैं। सबको अपनी ही बुद्धि अधिक महत्त्वपूर्ण जान पड़ती है और सब लोग अपनी ही बुद्धिकी प्रशंसा करते हैं ।। सर्वस्य हि स्वका प्रज्ञा साधुवादे प्रतिष्ठिता । परबुद्धि च निन्दन्ति स्वां प्रशंसन्ति चासकृत्,“सबकी दृष्टिमें अपनी ही बुद्धि धन्यवाद पानेके योग्य ऊँचे पदपर प्रतिष्ठित जान पड़ती है। सब लोग दूसरोंकी बुद्धिकी निन्दा और अपनी बुद्धिकी बारंबार सराहना करते हैं
sarvasya hi svakā prajñā sādhuvāde pratiṣṭhitā | parabuddhiṃ ca nindanti svāṃ praśaṃsanti cāsakṛt ||
Sañjaya disse: Para cada um, o próprio entendimento parece firmemente estabelecido como digno de aprovação e louvor. As pessoas depreciam a inteligência alheia, enquanto repetidamente exaltam a sua—mostrando como o amor-próprio pode distorcer o juízo mesmo quando se exige contenção e discernimento.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a common ethical blind spot: people instinctively treat their own judgment as authoritative and praiseworthy, while dismissing others’ counsel. It warns that pride in one’s intellect can undermine fair evaluation and right conduct (dharma).
Sañjaya offers a reflective observation about human nature—how individuals cling to their own opinions and belittle others’—as part of the broader Sauptika Parva context, where decisions and justifications after the war are scrutinized through moral and psychological insight.