Shloka 15
भीष्मधृतराष्ट्रसंवादः — पाण्डवबलप्रशंसा
Bhishma–Dhritarashtra Dialogue: Appraisal of Pandava Strength
सर्वमूर्धाभिषिक्तानामाचार्य: स्थविरो गुरु: । गच्छेदन्तं सूंजयानां प्रियस्त्वस्यथ धनंजय:,सम्पूर्ण मूर्धाभिषिक्त राजाओंके ये आचार्य एवं वृद्ध गुरु हैं। ये सृंजयवंशी क्षत्रियोंका विनाश कर डालेंगे; परंतु अर्जुन इन्हें बहुत प्रिय हैं
sarvamūrdhābhiṣiktānām ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ | gacched antaṃ sṛñjayānāṃ priyas tv asyatha dhanañjayaḥ ||
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Siya ang guro at matandang guru ng lahat ng mga haring napagpahiran at naitalaga. Dadalhin niya ang mga Sṛñjaya sa kanilang wakas; subalit si Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) ay mahal sa kanya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of war: even a universally revered guru, bound by allegiance and the logic of conflict, may act against those he is connected to, while still retaining personal affection—here, love for Arjuna—showing how dharma can become tragically divided between duty, loyalty, and human bonds.
Bhīṣma is describing a senior martial preceptor—venerated by all crowned kings—who, in the coming war, will be capable of destroying the Sṛñjaya side (the Pāṇḍava-aligned Kṣatriyas). Yet Bhīṣma notes that Arjuna (Dhanañjaya) remains especially dear to that guru, underscoring the personal relationships entangled in the impending battle.