Shloka 3
अध्याय ६६: संजयेन जनार्दन-प्रभाववर्णनम्
Sañjaya on Janārdana’s Decisive Sovereignty
आशंसमानो विजयं तेषां पुत्रवशानुग: । आत्मनश्न परेषां च पाण्डवानां च निश्चयम्,महाराज! भूमण्डलके सब राजा जब सभाभवनसे उठ गये, तब अपने पुत्रोंकी विजय चाहनेवाले तथा उन्हींके वशमें रहनेवाले राजा धृतराष्ट्रने वहाँ एकान्तमें अपनी, दूसरोंकी और पाण्डवोंकी जय-पराजयके विषयमें संजयका निश्चित मत जाननेके लिये उनसे कुछ और बातें पूछनी प्रारम्भ की
vaiśampāyana uvāca | āśaṃsamāno vijayaṃ teṣāṃ putravaśānugaḥ | ātmanaś ca pareṣāṃ ca pāṇḍavānāṃ ca niścayam, mahārāja |
आशंसमानो विजयं तेषां पुत्रवशानुगः । आत्मनश्च परेषां च पाण्डवानां च निश्चयम् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how attachment—especially a ruler’s bias toward his own children—can distort judgment. Dhṛtarāṣṭra seeks a ‘niścaya’ (definite assessment) from Sañjaya, suggesting that ethical clarity and prudent counsel are needed precisely when personal desire for victory threatens impartial discernment.
After the assembled kings leave the hall, Dhṛtarāṣṭra remains in private and begins questioning Sañjaya further. He wants Sañjaya’s firm opinion about the prospects of victory or defeat for himself, for the other parties, and for the Pāṇḍavas—signaling rising anxiety and the approaching crisis.