Shloka 4

विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः

Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace

Devanagari script

तत्र राजसहसैश्न कुरुभिश्चाभिसंवृतम्‌

Transliteration

tatra rājasahasraiś ca kurubhiś cābhisaṃvṛtam

Translation

সেখানে সেই স্থানটি সহস্র সহস্র রাজা ও কুরুদের দ্বারা চারিদিক থেকে পরিবেষ্টিত, জনসমুদ্রে পরিপূর্ণ ছিল—যেন এক মহারাজসভা, যেখানে ক্ষমতা, মৈত্রী ও ধর্মের প্রশ্ন প্রকাশ্যে বিচারিত হচ্ছিল।

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• राजसहसैः: by royal multitudes
• राजसहसैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजसहस
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• कुरुभिः: by the Kurus
• कुरुभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कुरु
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अभिसंवृतम्: surrounded/encircled
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि-सम्-√वृ (वृणोति/वृ)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative/Accusative, Singular, Past passive participle

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Kurus
• thousands of kings (rājānaḥ)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how decisions about dharma and rightful action often unfold in public, high-stakes political settings, where many rulers and factions gather—implying that ethical choices are tested amid power, pressure, and collective scrutiny.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a scene where the location is densely surrounded by thousands of kings along with the Kurus, setting the stage for a major council-like gathering connected to the unfolding conflict.