Shloka 296
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
कर्तव्यं सात्वतां श्रेष्ठ पाण्डवानां हितार्थिना । “हमारे पितामह श्रीकृष्णद्वैपायन भगवान् व्यास भी वहीं होंगे। महाबाहो! सात्वतवंशके श्रेष्ठ पुरछुष। आप पाण्डवोंके हितैषी हैं। आपको सब प्रकारसे गान्धारी देवीके क्रोधको शान्त कर देना चाहिये'
kartavyaṃ sātvatāṃ śreṣṭha pāṇḍavānāṃ hitārthinā | asmākaṃ pitāmahaḥ śrīkṛṣṇadvaipāyanaḥ bhagavān vyāso 'pi tatraiva bhaviṣyati | mahābāho sātvatavaṃśake śreṣṭha puruṣottama | tvaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ hitaiṣī | tvayā sarvathā gāndhārīdevyāḥ krodhaḥ śāntayitavyaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of the Sātvatas, you who seek the welfare of the Pāṇḍavas must do what is to be done. Our grandsire, the blessed Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, will also be there. O mighty-armed one, foremost of the Sātvata line, supreme among men—since you are a well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas, you should, by every means, pacify the anger of Lady Gāndhārī.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after victory, dharma requires active concern for the defeated and grieving; a leader or guide must prevent anger from turning into further harm by seeking reconciliation and calming righteous fury through wise, compassionate action.
Vaiśampāyana urges Kṛṣṇa—described as the foremost of the Sātvatas and a well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas—to take responsibility for pacifying Gāndhārī’s anger in the war’s aftermath, noting that the sage Vyāsa will also be present.