Shloka 246
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
दूत: समर्थ: प्रशमाय तेषां राज्यार्धदानाय युधिष्ठिरस्य । वह दूत ऐसा होना चाहिये, जो उनके जोश तथा रोषको शान्त करनेमें समर्थ हो और उन्हें युधिष्ठिरको इनका आधा राज्य दे देनेके लिये विवश कर सके
dūtaḥ samarthaḥ praśamāya teṣāṁ rājyārdha-dānāya yudhiṣṭhirasya |
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: “A messenger should be capable of pacifying their ardor and anger, and of compelling them to grant Yudhiṣṭhira half the kingdom.” The verse frames diplomacy as a dharmic instrument: the envoy’s duty is not mere delivery of words, but the ethical prevention of war through calming hostility and securing a just settlement.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The core teaching is that a true envoy must be skilled in pacifying anger and steering opponents toward a fair compromise; diplomacy is presented as a dharmic duty aimed at preventing needless war and restoring justice (here, securing half the kingdom for Yudhiṣṭhira).
In the opening of Udyoga Parva, as war looms, Śrī Kṛṣṇa outlines what kind of messenger is needed: one who can calm the opposing side’s fury and successfully negotiate a settlement—specifically, persuading them to give Yudhiṣṭhira his rightful share of the kingdom.