Shloka 41
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 96: Sātyaki’s Line-Penetration, Encirclement, and Advance toward Arjuna
द्रोण उदाच करोतु स्वस्ति ते ब्रह्म ब्रह्मा चापि द्विजातय: । सरीसूपाश्र ये श्रेष्ठास्तेभ्यस्ते स्वस्ति भारत,द्रोणाचार्य बोले--भरतनन्दन! परब्रह्म परमात्मा तुम्हारा कल्याण करें। ब्रह्माजी तथा ब्राह्मण तुम्हारा मंगल करें। जो श्रेष्ठ सर्प हैं, उनसे भी तुम्हारा कल्याण हो
sañjaya uvāca | droṇa uvāca karotu svasti te brahma brahmā cāpi dvijātayaḥ | sarīsṛpāśraye ye śreṣṭhās tebhyaś te svasti bhārata ||
द्रोण उवाच । करोतु स्वस्ति ते ब्रह्म ब्रह्मा चापि द्विजातयः । सरीसृपाश्रये श्रेष्ठास्तेभ्यस्ते स्वस्ति भारत ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid warfare, the epic preserves the dhārmic practice of invoking auspiciousness (svasti) through respectful remembrance of the highest principle (Brahman), revered deities (Brahmā), and sanctified communities (dvijas), showing that ethical speech and benediction remain valued in crisis.
In Sañjaya’s report, Droṇa utters a formal benediction, wishing welfare upon the addressed ‘Bhārata’ by invoking blessings from Brahman, Brahmā, the twice-born, and even the foremost among serpentine beings—an elevated, ritualized speech-act within the tense setting of the Drona Parva.