'Vaiśampāyana said: "Endowed with great energy and deep discernment, Droṇa then spoke: 'Men like the sons of Pāṇḍu do not perish, nor do they suffer defeat.'"' ।। 4-26-1 ।।
शूराश च कृतविद्याश च बुद्धिमन्तॊ जितेन्द्रियाः धर्मज्ञाश च कृतज्ञाश च धर्मराजम अनुव्रताः ।। ४-२६-२ ।।
'Brave and skilled in every branch of knowledge, intelligent, with their senses under control—virtuous, grateful, and obedient to their noble brother Yudhishṭhira—they follow him devotedly.' ।। 4-26-2 ।।
'He, their eldest, is well-versed in the principles of statecraft, virtue, and gain; he cherishes them like a father, stands firm in truth, and walks the path of righteousness without deviation.' ।। 4-26-3 ।।
'Bound by such loyalty to so virtuous a leader—who, despite his royal station, does not harm anyone and in turn respects and obeys even his younger brothers—such men do not meet their end in misfortune.' ।। 4-26-4 ।।
'Why then should Yudhishthira, the son of Prithā—versed as he is in the principles of policy—not be able to restore the prosperity of his devoted, obedient, and high-souled brothers?' ।। 4-26-5 ।।