Shloka 293
Adhyāya 123 — Droṇa’s Pedagogy: Arjuna’s Preeminence, Ekalavya’s Self-Training, and the Bhāsa-Lakṣya Trial
सुतं ते5ग्रयं प्रदास्पामि सर्वामित्रविनाशनम् | वह ब्राह्मणों
śakra uvāca | sutaṃ te 'gryaṃ pradāsyāmi sarvāmitra-vināśanam |
शक्र उवाच— सुतं तेऽग्र्यं प्रदास्यामि सर्वामित्रविनाशनम्। स ब्राह्मणानां गवां च सुहृदां च मनोरथान् पूरयिष्यति; शत्रून् शोकयिष्यति; सर्वान् बन्धून् बान्धवांश्च आनन्दयिष्यति॥
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal rulership and heroic virtue as protective and beneficent: a worthy son (future leader/hero) should uphold dharma by safeguarding brāhmaṇas and cows, supporting well-wishers, and restraining or defeating hostile forces—bringing welfare to one’s community while checking adharma.
Indra (Śakra) speaks a boon, promising the recipient an outstanding son characterized by the power to destroy enemies and by a dharmic disposition that fulfills the needs of the righteous and delights kin, while causing sorrow to adversaries.