Shloka 6
धृतराष्ट्र-सत्कारः तथा श्राद्ध-दाने नियमनम् | Honoring Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Regulating Śrāddha-Gifts
ततः स राजा कौरव्यो धृतराष्ट्री महामना:
tataḥ sa rājā kauravyo dhṛtarāṣṭrī mahāmanāḥ | viparīta-kṛc chna me śatrur niyamya-kṛc chna bhaven naraḥ ||
అనంతరం మహామనస్సు కల కౌరవ రాజు ధృతరాష్ట్రుడు పలికెను—“నా శాసనానికి విరుద్ధంగా నడిచేవాడు నా శత్రువు; సంయమంతో శాసనంలో నిలిచేవాడే ఉత్తమ పురుషుడు।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes that social and moral order depends on disciplined self-restraint and adherence to legitimate injunctions; defiance of rightful authority is framed as enmity, while self-controlled conduct is praised as true manliness.
In the Ashramavāsika context—after the war, as the elders move toward a life of restraint—the speaker presents a principle of governance and conduct: those who follow the elder king’s directives are treated as allies, while those who act contrary are treated as adversaries.