Shloka 4
उद्योगपर्व (अध्याय १२९) — केशवस्य वैभवप्रदर्शनम् / Krishna’s Theophanic Display in the Kuru Assembly
पुरायमस्मान् गृलह्नाति क्षिप्रकारी जनार्दन: । सहितो धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा शान्तनवेन च
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
purāyam asmān gṛhṇāti kṣiprakārī janārdanaḥ |
sahito dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa rājñā śāntanavena ca ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Dieser schnell handelnde Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa) wird uns bald ergreifen, gestützt von König Dhṛtarāṣṭra und dem Śāntanava (Bhīṣma). Darum lasst uns, ehe er uns einkerkert, selbst mit Gewalt Hṛṣīkeśa, den Löwen unter den Menschen, überwältigen und gefangen setzen—so wie Indra einst Bali, den Sohn Virocanas, band.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and political calculation can drive unethical proposals—such as arresting a messenger or mediator. By invoking Indra’s binding of Bali, the speakers try to legitimize coercion through precedent, illustrating how power often seeks moral cover even for questionable acts.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy, some in the Kaurava camp suspect Kṛṣṇa will act decisively against them with Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Bhīṣma’s support. They propose preemptively overpowering and detaining Kṛṣṇa, comparing it to Indra’s capture of Bali.