Shloka 43
Kaurava Mobilization at Kurukṣetra (Duryodhana Orders War Preparations) / कुरुक्षेत्रे धार्तराष्ट्र-सैन्यसज्जा
कृतो यत्नो महांस्तत्र शम: स्यथादिति भारत । धर्मस्य गतमानृण्यं न सम वाच्या विवक्षताम्
kṛto yatno mahāṁs tatra śamaḥ syathāditi bhārata | dharmasya gatam ānṛṇyaṁ na sama-vācyā vivakṣatām ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Bhārata, a great effort was made there with the aim that peace might be achieved. By that, we have become free of any remaining debt to dharma; even those who are eager to speak of others’ faults can no longer level an equal charge against us.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before resorting to war, one must sincerely attempt reconciliation; making a genuine effort for peace discharges one’s obligation to dharma and removes grounds for legitimate moral blame.
The speaker reports that a substantial attempt at establishing peace was undertaken. Because that duty was fulfilled, the party speaking can claim moral clearance: even habitual critics cannot fairly accuse them of failing to pursue peace.