Shloka 8
Udyoga Parva, Adhyaya 52: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava Strength and the Case for Restraint
दर्शनीयो मनस्वी च लक्ष्मीवान् ब्रह्म॒वर्चसी । मेधावी सुकृतप्रज्ञो धर्मात्मा पाण्डुनन्दन:
darśanīyo manasvī ca lakṣmīvān brahmavarcāsī | medhāvī sukṛtaprajño dharmātmā pāṇḍunandanaḥ ||
پانڈو کا وہ فرزند دیدہ زیب اور بلند ہمت ہے؛ وہ اقبال و دولت سے بہرہ مند اور برہمنانہ نورِ علم (برہمتेज) سے تاباں ہے۔ وہ ذہین ہے، نیکی سے پیدا ہوئی درست رائے رکھتا ہے، اور دھرم کا پابند ہے۔
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links outward excellence (admirable presence and prosperity) with inner excellence (wisdom, merit-formed discernment, and devotion to dharma), implying that true worth in a prince is measured by righteous character and cultivated intellect, not merely power.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes a Pāṇḍava as exemplary—handsome, fortunate, spiritually radiant, intelligent, and dharma-minded—highlighting the recognized virtues of the opposing side even amid rising conflict.