Shloka 223
Sauptika Parva, Adhyaya 8 — Dhṛṣṭadyumna-vadha and the Camp’s Nocturnal Rout
तस्माच्छस्त्रेण निधन न त्वमर्हसि दुर्मते । उसकी उस अस्पष्ट वाणीको सुनकर द्रोणपुत्रने कहा--'रे कुलकलंक! अपने आचार्यकी हत्या करनेवाले लोगोंके लिये पुण्यलोक नहीं है; अतः दुर्मते! तू शस्त्रके द्वारा मारे जानेके योग्य नहीं है”
tasmāc chastreṇa nidhanaṁ na tvam arhasi durmate |
Sañjaya nói: “Vì thế, hỡi kẻ tâm địa ác, ngươi không đáng chết bởi vũ khí.” Nghe lời nói đứt quãng ấy, con trai Droṇa liền bảo: “Đồ làm nhục tông tộc! Kẻ giết thầy mình không có cõi phúc; bởi vậy, hỡi kẻ ác tâm, ngươi không xứng bị giết bằng gươm giáo.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that certain acts—especially betrayal or killing of one’s teacher (guru)—strip a person of the honor due to a lawful warrior’s death. Ethical transgression leads not only to punishment but also to loss of dignity and rightful status.
In the Sauptika Parva’s tense aftermath of Drona’s killing and the night of retaliatory violence, Sañjaya reports a statement declaring that the addressed offender is not fit to be slain in a straightforward, honorable weapon-combat manner, implying a more ignominious consequence.