Shloka 21
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवेषु प्रीति-वृत्तान्तः | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Affectionate Disposition toward the Pāṇḍavas
यच्चाहं पाण्डुपुत्रेषु गुणवत्सु महात्मसु
yaccāhaṃ pāṇḍuputreṣu guṇavatsu mahātmasu
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच—यच्चाहं पाण्डुपुत्रेषु गुणवत्सु महात्मसु…॥
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line frames Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s moral self-examination: wrongdoing becomes sharper when directed against the virtuous. It highlights accountability in kingship and family life—recognizing the merit of others and admitting one’s failures toward them.
In the Āśramavāsika Parva, Dhṛtarāṣṭra speaks reflectively after the war’s devastation. Here he begins to refer to his conduct toward the Pāṇḍavas—describing them as virtuous and great-souled—setting up a confession or lament about how he treated them.