Shloka 12
Adhyāya 59: Vidura’s Admonition to Duryodhana after the Summons of Draupadī (सभा पर्व)
शत्तितो ब्राह्मणान् नून॑ रक्षितुं प्रयतामहे । तद् वै वित्त मातिदेवीर्मा जैषी: शकुने परान्
śaktito brāhmaṇān nūnaṃ rakṣituṃ prayatāmahe | tad vai vitta mātidevīr mā jaiṣīḥ śakune parān ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “To the best of our ability, we are indeed striving to protect the Brāhmaṇas. Therefore, O wealthy one—O Śakuni—do not defeat the others (my brothers).”
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid rivalry and provocation, a ruler’s ethical duty (dharma) includes safeguarding the vulnerable and honoring Brāhmaṇas; Yudhiṣṭhira frames his conduct as principled effort and urges restraint rather than total victory over others.
During the Sabha Parva’s dice-game context, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Śakuni, asserting that they are striving to protect Brāhmaṇas as best they can and asking Śakuni not to overpower/defeat the others—an appeal that highlights moral concern amid escalating conflict.