Shloka 3
भीष्मसेनापत्याभिषेकः
Bhīṣma’s Appointment as Commander-in-Chief
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णस्य शकुने: सौबलस्य च । वासुदेव मतज्ञोडसि मम सभ्रातृकस्य च,*वासुदेव! दुर्योधन, कर्ण और शकुनिके तथा भाइयोंसहित मेरे विचारोंको भी आप जानते हैं
duryodhanasya karṇasya śakuneḥ saubalasya ca | vāsudeva matajño 'si mama sabhrātṛkasya ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Vāsudeva, you know well the intentions and counsels of Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Śakuni the son of Subala—and you also understand my own mind, together with that of my brothers. Thus you are fully aware of the inner designs on both sides.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights Kṛṣṇa’s role as a discerning mediator who understands the inner motives of all parties. Ethical judgment in conflict depends not only on spoken words but on grasping intentions (mata) that drive action.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Vaiśampāyana reports a statement addressed to Vāsudeva: he is acknowledged as one who knows the plans of the Kaurava leaders (Duryodhana, Karṇa, Śakuni) as well as the speaker’s own position along with his brothers—framing Kṛṣṇa as fully informed for diplomacy.