Shloka 11
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा वार्ष्णेयं जयतां वरम्
tato duryodhano rājā vārṣṇeyaṃ jayatāṃ varam
Dann wandte sich König Duryodhana an den Vārṣṇeya—Kṛṣṇa, den Vornehmsten unter den Siegern—und damit trat die Verhandlung in eine entscheidende Wendung: Er suchte Vorteil durch Rat und Bündnis, nicht durch Selbstzucht oder Ausgleich.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political actors may invoke honorifics and seek strategic advantage through influential figures; it implicitly contrasts outward respect with inner intention, inviting reflection on dharma in diplomacy.
Vaishampayana narrates that Duryodhana turns to Krishna (called Vārṣṇeya, ‘descendant of the Vrishnis’), addressing him as the foremost among conquerors, indicating the start of Duryodhana’s direct engagement with Krishna in the unfolding negotiations.