Shloka 62
Drupada’s Alarm and Inquiry Regarding Śikhaṇḍinī (द्रुपदस्य भय-विमर्शः)
मम त्वेतच्चरास्तात यथावत् प्रत्यवेदयन् । जडान्धबधिराकारा ये मुक्ता द्रपदे मया,मैंने द्रपदके नगरमें कुछ गुप्तचर नियुक्त कर दिये थे, जो गूँगे, अंधे और बहरे बनकर वहाँ रहते थे। वे ही यह सब समाचार मुझे ठीक-ठीक बताया करते थे
mama tv etac carās tāta yathāvat pratyavedayan | jaḍāndhabadhirākārā ye muktā drupade mayā ||
毗湿摩说道：“孩子啊，我的密探将此事依其本然，分毫不差地禀告于我。我曾将他们安置在德鲁帕陀的城中；他们在那里乔装为哑者、盲者与聋者。正是他们不断将这些消息准确传来。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the role of accurate information in governance and conflict: a ruler’s decisions should rest on verified reports. It also raises an ethical tension—espionage and disguise are treated as legitimate instruments of rājadharma (statecraft), even while they rely on concealment.
Bhishma explains how he knows the details being discussed: he had previously deployed spies in Drupada’s city. They lived there under convincing disguises (appearing mute, blind, and deaf) and regularly reported the news back to him.