Shloka 30
Adhyāya 123 — Droṇa’s Pedagogy: Arjuna’s Preeminence, Ekalavya’s Self-Training, and the Bhāsa-Lakṣya Trial
इत्युक्त: कौरवो राजा वासवेन महात्मना
ity uktaḥ kauravo rājā vāsavena mahātmanā |
इत्युक्तः कौरवो राजा वासवेन महात्मना । ततो हृष्टोऽभवत् राजा देवराजवचः स्मरन् ॥ कुन्तीदेवीं तदा प्राह—कल्याणि! तव व्रतस्योदर्को मंगलो भविष्यति। तुष्टोऽस्मासु सुरेश्वर इन्द्रः; स ते संकल्पमनुसृत्य श्रेष्ठं पुत्रं प्रदातुमिच्छति—अतिमानुषकर्माणं यशस्विनमरिंदमम्, नीतिज्ञं महामनसं सूर्यसमतेजसं, दुर्धर्षं कर्मठं चापि दर्शनेऽद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥
शक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes that sincere vows (vrata) and steadfast resolve (saṅkalpa), aligned with dharma, are believed to yield auspicious results, and that ideal rulership values ethical prudence (nīti), self-mastery, and the welfare of the lineage.
Indra (Śakra/Vāsava) has spoken to the Kuru-line king Pāṇḍu. Pāṇḍu, pleased and mindful of Indra’s assurance, turns to Kuntī and foretells that her vow will bear a divinely granted, extraordinary son endowed with royal and heroic virtues.