Shloka 14
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा तथा द्रोणविषयकप्रश्नाः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fainting and Questions Concerning Droṇa
यो5हासीत् कृपणस्यार्थे प्राणानपि परंतप: । शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले द्रोणाचार्य दुष्टोंको दण्ड देनेवाले और धार्मिकोंके रक्षक थे। उन्होंने मुझ कृपणके लिये अपने प्राणतक दे दिये ।। १३ ई ।। मन्दानां मम पुत्राणां जयाशा यस्य विक्रमे
yo ’hāsīt kṛpaṇasyārthe prāṇān api parantapaḥ | śatrūṇāṃ santāpa-dātā droṇācāryo duṣṭānāṃ daṇḍa-dātā dhārmikānāṃ rakṣitā ca | sa mayā kṛpaṇena kṛte prāṇān api tyaktavān | mandānāṃ mama putrāṇāṃ jayāśā yasya vikrame ||
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच— योऽहासीत् कृपणस्यार्थे प्राणानपि परन्तप। शत्रूणां सन्तापकर्ता द्रोणो दुष्टनिग्रहः, धर्मात्मनां च रक्षिता—स मम हेतोः प्राणानपि त्यक्तवान्। मन्दानां मम पुत्राणां जयाशा यस्य विक्रमे॥
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of dependence on another’s virtue and strength: Dhṛtarāṣṭra recognizes that his sons’ confidence rested on Droṇa’s prowess, and he frames himself as ‘kṛpaṇa’ (wretched), implying remorse and the moral cost of drawing a righteous protector into an unrighteous cause.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, hearing of events in the war, reflects on Droṇa’s role and sacrifice. He describes Droṇa as a punisher of the wicked and protector of the righteous, yet one who gave up his life for Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sake; he adds that the Kauravas’ hope of victory depended on Droṇa’s valor.