Shloka 26
Vṛtra’s Cosmic Threat, Viṣṇu’s Upāya, and the Conditional Vulnerability
Udyoga-parva 10
तेन ते सह शक्रेण संधिर्भवतु नित्यदा । एवं विश्वासमागच्छ मा ते5भूद् बुद्धिरन््यथा
tena te saha śakreṇa sandhir bhavatu nityadā | evaṃ viśvāsam āgaccha mā te 'bhūd buddhir anyathā ||
“Therefore, let there be a lasting pact between you and Śakra (Indra). Proceed in such a way that you win his confidence; do not let your mind turn to any contrary design.”
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The counsel emphasizes ethical statecraft: secure a stable alliance through trust-building and maintain single-minded fidelity to the agreed course, avoiding duplicity or wavering intentions.
Śalya advises the listener to establish a permanent treaty with Śakra (Indra) and to act in a way that earns Indra’s confidence, warning against entertaining any opposing plan that would undermine the alliance.