Shloka 19
Drupada’s Instruction to the Purohita for the Kaurava Embassy (द्रुपदोपदेशः दूतप्रेषणम्)
शिष्यै: परिवृतो विद्वान नीतिशास्त्रार्थकोविद: । पाण्डवानां हितार्थाय कौरवान् प्रति जग्मिवान्
śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto vidvān nītiśāstrārthakovidaḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ hitārthāya kauravān prati jagmivān ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: وكان العالِمُ محاطًا بتلاميذه، خبيرًا بمعاني علم السياسة وفنون تدبير المُلك، فانطلق نحو الكورافا ابتغاءَ خيرِ الباندافا.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic use of learning: expertise in nīti (ethical policy) and artha (practical governance) should serve the welfare (hita) of others. It implies that wise counsel and diplomacy are legitimate, even necessary, tools to protect rightful interests and reduce destructive conflict.
A learned figure, accompanied by his disciples, departs toward the Kauravas’ side with the explicit aim of securing the Pāṇḍavas’ welfare. The scene signals a diplomatic or advisory mission during the Udyoga phase, when efforts are made to negotiate, counsel, and prepare amid rising tensions.