Shloka 16
Virāṭa’s Mobilization to Recover the Cattle (गोधनरक्षणार्थ विराटस्य सैन्यसमायोजनम्)
प्राज्ञो वा कुरुवृद्धो5यं सर्वेषां न: पितामह: ।।
prajño vā kuruvṛddho 'yaṃ sarveṣāṃ naḥ pitāmahaḥ | ācāryaś ca yathā droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ śāradvatas tathā | manyante te yathā sarve tathā yātrā vidhīyatām ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Este Bhīṣma —sábio e o mais velho da linhagem dos Kuru— é o nosso avô de todos. Do mesmo modo, nosso preceptor Droṇa, e Kṛpa, filho de Śaradvat. Que a jornada seja empreendida exatamente como todos esses anciãos julgarem apropriado.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic decision-making through deference to legitimate authority—especially elders and teachers. When action has public consequences (like a journey/expedition), it should be guided by the judgment of those renowned for wisdom, seniority, and moral standing.
In the Virāṭa Parva context, a plan for movement or an expedition is being discussed. The speaker proposes that the course of action be set according to the collective judgment of the Kuru elders—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa—whose counsel is treated as decisive.