Shloka 23
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
समेत्य सर्वे सहिता: सुहद्धि- स्तेषां विनाशाय यतेयुरेव । दुर्योधनस्थापि मतं यथाव- न्न ज्ञायते कि नु करिष्यतीति,तथापि ये सब लोग अपने हितैषी सुहृदोंके साथ मिलकर शत्रुओंके विनाशके लिये प्रयत्न तो करेंगे ही। (अतः इन्हें आपलोग दुर्बल न समझें) युद्धका भी निश्चय कैसे किया जाय; क्योंकि दुर्योधनके भी मतका अभी ठीक-ठीक पता नहीं है कि वह क्या करेगा?
sametya sarve sahitāḥ suhṛdbhiḥ teṣāṁ vināśāya yatayerur eva | duryodhanasyāpi mataṁ yathāvan na jñāyate kiṁ nu kariṣyatīti ||
Kṛṣṇa says that, once all have assembled together with their well-wishing allies, they will certainly strive for the destruction of their enemies; therefore they should not be dismissed as weak. Yet a firm decision for war cannot be made at once, because even Duryodhana’s intention is not yet clearly known—what, in fact, he will choose to do.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not underestimate a united side supported by loyal well-wishers; at the same time, act with prudence because ethical and political decisions—especially war—require clarity about the opponent’s resolve and intentions.
Kṛṣṇa assesses the situation: the opposing party, once gathered with allies, will actively work to destroy their enemies, but a definitive commitment to war is premature since Duryodhana’s exact decision is not yet known.