Shloka 32
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 130: Kuntī’s Instruction on Rājadharma and Daṇḍanīti
यावद् बल॑ मे पुत्रेषु पश्यस्येतज्जनार्दन । प्रत्यक्ष ते न ते किंचित् परोक्ष॑ शत्रुकर्शन
yāvad balaṁ me putreṣu paśyasy etaj janārdana | pratyakṣa te na te kiṁcit parokṣaṁ śatrukarśana ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “So long as you still see strength and advantage on the side of my sons, O Janārdana, act accordingly. For you, O subduer of foes, nothing is hidden—what is direct and what is indirect are equally known to you.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s reliance on perceived power and advantage, while simultaneously acknowledging Kṛṣṇa’s superior insight. Ethically, it contrasts political calculation (strength of one’s side) with the idea that true discernment sees beyond appearances—nothing is truly ‘hidden’ from a wise (or divine) counselor.
In the diplomacy and war-preparation context of the Udyoga Parva, Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses Kṛṣṇa with honorific epithets, implying that Kṛṣṇa can accurately assess the Kauravas’ position. He urges action or judgment based on the strength Kṛṣṇa perceives among Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons, while conceding Kṛṣṇa’s comprehensive knowledge of both overt and covert realities.