Shloka 16
कृष्णेन विदुरं प्रति आगमन-हेतु-निवेदनम् / Krishna explains the purpose of his coming to Vidura
तेषां समुपविष्टानां सर्वेषां पापचेतसाम् । तव मध्यावतरणं मम कृष्ण न रोचते
teṣāṁ samupaviṣṭānāṁ sarveṣāṁ pāpacetasām | tava madhyāvataraṇaṁ mama kṛṣṇa na rocate |
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: „Kṛṣṇa, wenn all jene Männer mit sündhaftem Sinn beisammensitzen, missfällt es mir, dass du in ihre Mitte hinabgehst. Ich billige nicht, dass du unter sie trittst und etwas sagst, das eine feindselige Reaktion hervorrufen könnte.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent ethical caution: entering the midst of people driven by impure motives can invite needless provocation and danger. It underscores discernment in counsel and diplomacy—choosing the right setting and audience when speaking truth in a hostile environment.
In Udyoga Parva, as tensions move toward war, Kṛṣṇa is associated with a diplomatic effort amid an antagonistic assembly. The speaker (as narrated by Vaiśaṃpāyana) conveys apprehension that Kṛṣṇa’s entering the middle of the assembled, ill-intentioned party may lead to an adverse reaction.