Shloka 19
Drupada’s Instruction to the Purohita for the Kaurava Embassy (द्रुपदोपदेशः दूतप्रेषणम्)
शिष्यै: परिवृतो विद्वान नीतिशास्त्रार्थकोविद: । पाण्डवानां हितार्थाय कौरवान् प्रति जग्मिवान्,वे विद्वान तथा नीतिशास्त्र और अर्थशास्त्रके विशेषज्ञ थे। वे पाण्डवोंके हितके लिये शिष्योंके साथ कौरवोंकी (राजधानीकी) ओर गये थे
śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto vidvān nītiśāstrārthakovidaḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ hitārthāya kauravān prati jagmivān ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Von seinen Schülern umgeben, zog der Gelehrte—kundig in den Lehren der Staatsklugheit und der Kunst des Regierens—zu den Kaurava, um das Wohl der Pāṇḍava zu fördern.
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.