Shloka 15
धृतराष्ट्रस्य मूर्च्छा तथा द्रोणविषयकप्रश्नाः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Fainting and Questions Concerning Droṇa
बृहस्पत्युशनस्तुल्यो बुद्धथया स निहतः कथम् | मेरे मूर्ख पुत्रोंकोी जिनके ही पराक्रमके भरोसे विजयकी आशा बनी हुई थी तथा जो बुद्धिमें बृहस्पति और शुक्राचार्यके समान थे, वे द्रोणाचार्य कैसे मारे गये? ।।
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | bṛhaspatyuśanastulyo buddhyā sa nihataḥ katham |
Wika ni Dhṛtarāṣṭra: “Paano siya napatay—siya na ang talino’y kapantay nina Bṛhaspati at Uśanas (Śukrācārya)? Sa lakas ng kanyang kagitingan nakasandig ang pag-asang magwawagi ng aking mga anak na hangal—paano napatay si Droṇācārya?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment and misplaced reliance on power distort judgment: Dhṛtarāṣṭra calls his sons “foolish” yet still clings to the hope built on Droṇa’s might. It also underscores a Mahābhārata theme—mere brilliance (even like Bṛhaspati or Śukra) does not guarantee protection when one is entangled in an unrighteous war and vulnerable to moral and psychological collapse.
After hearing that Droṇācārya has been slain, Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions Sañjaya in disbelief. He emphasizes Droṇa’s extraordinary intellect and strategic capacity, wondering how such a master—central to the Kauravas’ expectation of victory—could have been killed on the battlefield.