Shloka 14
अध्याय 24 — संजयस्य शमोपदेशः
Sanjaya’s Counsel Toward Conciliation
कृताञ्जलि: शरणं व: प्रपद्ये कथं स्वस्ति स्यात् कुरुसृंजयानाम् । न होवमेवं वचन वासुदेवो धनंजयो वा जातु किंचिन्न कुर्यात्
kṛtāñjaliḥ śaraṇaṃ vaḥ prapadye kathaṃ svasti syāt kurusṛñjayānām | na hovam evaṃ vacanaṃ vāsudevo dhanaṃjayo vā jātu kiṃcin na kuryāt ||
Sañjaya said: “With folded hands I seek refuge with you. How may welfare be secured for the Kurus and the Sṛñjayas? Surely Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) or Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) would never refuse to act upon such a humble, conciliatory appeal.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic diplomacy: one should seek the welfare (svasti) of all parties through humble, respectful appeal, trusting that truly righteous leaders (here invoked as Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna) will respond to sincere, peace-oriented counsel.
Sañjaya speaks in a conciliatory tone, approaching with folded hands and asking how the Kurus and Sṛñjayas may attain welfare. He expresses confidence that Kṛṣṇa or Arjuna would not disregard a properly framed, humble request aimed at preventing harmful outcomes.