Shloka 11
Droṇa–Vidura–Gāndhārī Counsel in the Royal Assembly (धर्मार्थयुक्ता सभा-उपदेश-प्रकरणम्)
जनार्दन! इसके सिवा जो समस्त राजालोग सभामें बैठे थे, उन्होंने अपना विचार किस रूपमें प्रकट किया? आप इन सब बातोंको ठीक-ठीक बताइये ।। उतक्तवान् हि भवान् सर्व वचन कुरुमुख्ययो: । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य तेषां हि वचन॑ कुरुसंसदि
janārdana! etat-śeṣaṁ ye sarve rājānaḥ sabhāyāṁ niṣaṇṇā āsan, teṣāṁ matam kathaṁ prakāśitam? etat sarvaṁ yathāvat me brūhi. uktavān hi bhavān sarvaṁ vacanaṁ kuru-mukhyayoḥ; dhārtarāṣṭrasya teṣāṁ hi vacanaṁ kuru-saṁsadi.
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Janārdana, besides this, how did all the kings seated in the assembly express their judgment? Tell me everything exactly as it happened. For you have already related the whole speech of the foremost Kurus; now recount, in the Kuru council, the words spoken on behalf of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his party as well.”
युधिष्टिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical demand for a complete and accurate account of public deliberation: decisions affecting dharma and war must be understood through the full range of counsel given in the assembly, not merely the words of a few prominent figures.
Yudhiṣṭhira questions Kṛṣṇa about the Kuru court proceedings: after hearing the speeches of leading Kurus, he asks how the other kings in the hall responded and what Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s side stated in the council, seeking a faithful, detailed report.