Shloka 16
कृष्ण-दूतविषये दुर्योधनस्य बन्धन-प्रस्तावः — Duryodhana’s Proposal to Detain Krishna
Envoy-Ethics Debate
शममिच्छति दाशार्हस्तव दुर्योधनस्य च । पाण्डवानां च राजेन्द्र तदस्थ वचन कुरु
śamam icchati dāśārhas tava duryodhanasya ca | pāṇḍavānāṃ ca rājendra tad astha vacanaṃ kuru, rājendra |
রাজেন্দ্র! দাশার্হকুলভূষণ শ্রীকৃষ্ণ আপনার, দুর্যোধনের ও পাণ্ডবদের মধ্যে সন্ধি স্থাপন করে শান্তি আনতে চান; অতএব, নৃপশ্রেষ্ঠ! তাঁর বচন অনুসরণ করুন।
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should prioritize peace and heed wise, impartial counsel—especially when offered by a trusted mediator like Kṛṣṇa—because accepting reconciliation is ethically superior to persisting in pride-driven conflict.
In the lead-up to war, Vidura urges Dhṛtarāṣṭra to accept Kṛṣṇa’s peace initiative, which aims to reconcile Duryodhana and the Pāṇḍavas and avert the impending catastrophe.