Shloka 39
धृतराष्ट्रस्य पश्चात्तापः तथा वनप्रस्थानानुज्ञा | Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse and Request for Forest-Retirement
सेनाप्रणेता च भवेत् तव तात दृढव्रतः
senāpraṇetā ca bhavet tava tāta dṛḍhavrataḥ
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்—மேலும், அன்பனே, அவன் உன் படைத்தலைவனாகவும் சேனையின் முன்னணித் தலைவராகவும் இருக்க வேண்டும்—விரதத்தில் உறுதியானவன், ஒழுக்கத்தில் நிலையானவன்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that military authority should be entrusted to a person who is dṛḍhavrata—steadfast, disciplined, and reliable—suggesting that power is ethically safest when guided by self-control and firm commitment to duty.
Vaiśampāyana, narrating the events, reports a recommendation that someone should serve as the senāpraṇetā (army commander/leader) for the addressed person, highlighting the need for a dependable, vow-steadfast leader in matters of governance and security.