Shloka 29
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
स त्वं विरुध्य तैवीरिरन्ये भ्यस्त्राणमिच्छसि । अशिष्टेभ्यो5समर्थे भ्यो मूढेभ्यो भरतर्षभ,“भरतश्रेष्ठ) तुम उन वीर पाण्डवोंसे विरोध करके दूसरे अशिष्ट, असमर्थ और मूढ़ मनुष्योंसे अपनी रक्षा चाहते हो
sa tvaṁ virudhya tair vīrair anyebhyaḥ trāṇam icchasi | aśiṣṭebhyo 'samarthebhyo mūḍhebhyo bharatarṣabha ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O bull among the Bharatas, you oppose those heroic warriors and yet seek protection from others—men who are uncultured, incapable, and deluded. Ethically, this is a reversal of right judgment: turning away from the truly strong and worthy, and placing trust in the unfit.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Sound dharmic judgment requires recognizing true strength and worth. Opposing capable, righteous heroes while seeking refuge among the unworthy and incompetent is portrayed as moral and strategic folly born of delusion.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war counsel and critique, the speaker rebukes the addressed Bharata leader for choosing hostility toward the heroic side (understood as the Pāṇḍavas) and instead relying on inferior allies, highlighting the irrationality of that choice.