Shloka 8
Kuntī–Karṇa Saṃvāda: Lineage Disclosure and Appeal to Fraternal Dharma
क्रियमाणे बलादू धर्मे कुरुभि: को न संज्वरेत् । असाम्ना केशवे याते समुद्योक्ष्यन्ति पाण्डवा:
kriyamāṇe balādū dharme kurubhiḥ ko na saṁjvaret | asāmnā keśave yāte samudyokṣyanti pāṇḍavāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the Kurus, taking coercion to be “dharma,” proceed in this way, who would not be anxious? Keśava has gone, his effort at reconciliation having failed; therefore the Pāṇḍavas too will now rouse themselves to a great undertaking—war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Calling coercion ‘dharma’ is a moral distortion that inevitably breeds fear and instability; when peaceful reconciliation fails, even the restrained are compelled to prepare for conflict.
After Kṛṣṇa’s attempt to secure a peace settlement with the Kauravas does not succeed, the situation turns decisively toward war, and the Pāṇḍavas begin vigorous preparations.