Mahabharata 4.50.21 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 50, Shloka 21
अध्याय ५०: उत्तरेण सह अर्जुनस्य रथप्रयाणे ध्वजचिह्नैः कौरवसेनानिर्देशः
Arjuna directs Uttara by identifying Kaurava commanders through banners
पुत्रादनन्तरं शिष्य इति धर्मविदो विदु: । एतेनापि निमित्तेन प्रियो द्रोणस्य पाण्डव:
putrād anantaraṁ śiṣya iti dharmavido viduḥ | etena api nimittena priyo droṇasya pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Kṛpa disse: “Os que conhecem o dharma sustentam que, depois do próprio filho, o discípulo é o mais querido. Por essa razão também, o Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) é querido por Droṇa—daí ser plenamente apropriado que Droṇa o louve.”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharma-based social ethic: a worthy disciple is regarded as nearly as dear as one’s own son, underscoring the sanctity of the guru–śiṣya bond and legitimizing a teacher’s special affection and praise for an exemplary student.
Kṛpa explains why Droṇa’s favorable words about Arjuna are natural and justified: since dharma-teachers consider a disciple second only to a son in affection, Droṇa’s fondness for Arjuna provides an additional reason for praising him.
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