Shloka 2
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 132 — Vidura’s Counsel on Udyama, Yaśas, and Kṣātra-Dharma
कुन्ती बोली--शतन्नुओंको संताप देनेवाले श्रीकृष्ण! इस प्रसंगमें विद्वान् पुरुष विदुला और उसके पुत्रके संवाद-रूप इस पुरातन इतिहासका उदाहरण दिया करते हैं ।।
kuntī bolī—śatannūnoko santāpa denevāle śrīkṛṣṇa! isa prasaṅgame vidvān puruṣa vidulā aura usake putrake saṃvāda-rūpa isa purātana itihāsakā udāharaṇa diyā karate haiṃ. atra śreyaś ca bhūyaś ca yathāvad vaktum arhasi | yaśasvinī manyumatī kule jātā vibhāvarī ||
Kuntī said: “O Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who burns away the grief of countless beings! In this matter, learned men cite an ancient precedent—the old tale cast as a dialogue between Vidulā and her son. Here you should explain, in due order, both what is truly beneficial (śreyas) and what is materially advantageous (bhūyas). That illustrious, high-spirited woman—born in a noble lineage—Vidulā, the radiant one…”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical deliberation as a choice between śreyas (the higher, morally right good) and bhūyas (worldly gain), urging that counsel should address both clearly and in proper order, using authoritative precedents (itihāsa) to guide action.
Kuntī addresses Śrī Kṛṣṇa and introduces an ancient illustrative story—Vidulā’s dialogue with her son—commonly cited by the learned. She requests Kṛṣṇa to explain the matter by distinguishing what is truly beneficial from what is materially advantageous.