Shloka 3
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
न त्वहं स्ववशस्तात क्रियमाणं न मे प्रियम् । (न मंस्यन्ते दुरात्मान: पुत्रा मम जनार्दन ।) अड़ुं दुर्योधनं कृष्ण मन्दं शास्त्रातिगं मम
na tv ahaṁ svavaśas tāta kriyamāṇaṁ na me priyam | (na maṁsyante durātmānaḥ putrā mama janārdana |) aḍuṁ duryodhanaṁ kṛṣṇa mandaṁ śāstrātigaṁ mama
Vaiśampāyana said: “But, dear one, I am not acting of my own free will; what is being done is not pleasing to me. Those wicked-souled sons of mine, O Janārdana, will not heed good counsel. O Kṛṣṇa, Duryodhana is obstinate and dull, and he oversteps the bounds of śāstra—this is my grief.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical accountability: when leaders or heirs become śāstrātiga—transgressing moral and scriptural restraint—wise counsel fails, and even those who disapprove may feel powerless. It underscores the danger of obstinacy and the necessity of heeding dharmic guidance.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and counsel, the speaker laments that events are unfolding against his preference because Duryodhana (and the Kaurava party) will not accept good advice. Kṛṣṇa is addressed as Janārdana, indicating an appeal to his moral authority and diplomatic role.