Shloka 18
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 30: Sañjaya’s Departure and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Commission of Greetings
शान्तिरेवं भवेद् राजनू् प्रीतिश्वैव परस्परम् | राज्यैकदेशमपि न: प्रयच्छ शममिच्छताम्,“राजन! इस प्रकार हमलोगोंमें परस्पर शान्ति एवं प्रीति बनी रह सकती है। हम शान्ति चाहते हैं; भले ही तुम हमें राज्यका एक हिस्सा ही दे दो
śāntir evaṁ bhaved rājan prītiś caiva parasparam | rājyaikadeśam api naḥ prayaccha śamam icchatām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O King, in this way peace may be secured, and mutual goodwill preserved between us. We seek reconciliation; therefore, grant us even a single portion of the kingdom, so that concord may prevail.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one has a strong claim, dharma favors restraint and reconciliation: preserving peace and mutual goodwill is worth accepting a minimal share, if it prevents destructive conflict.
In the pre-war negotiations, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the Kuru king and urges a settlement: to maintain peace and mutual affection, he asks that the Pāṇḍavas be granted at least a small portion of the kingdom rather than forcing war.