Shloka 15
एषा मे परमा बुद्धिर्यया शाम्यति मे मन: । यदि त्वयुद्धमिष्टं वो वयं शान्त्ये यतामहे,कौरवो! मैं पाण्डवोंके साथ युद्ध न होना ही अच्छा मानता हूँ। तुमलोग इसे अच्छी तरह समझ लो। यदि युद्ध हुआ तो समस्त कुरुकुलका विनाश अवश्यम्भावी है। मेरी बुद्धिका यही सर्वोत्तम निश्चय है। इसीसे मेरे मनको शान्ति मिलती है। यदि तुम्हें भी युद्ध न होना ही अभीष्ट हो तो हम शान्तिके लिये प्रयत्न करें
eṣā me paramā buddhir yayā śāmyati me manaḥ | yadi tvayuddham iṣṭaṃ vo vayaṃ śāntye yatāmahe ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “This is my highest resolve, and by it my mind finds peace: if you truly desire non‑war, then let us strive for peace.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates peace-making over aggression: the ‘best’ intelligence is that which calms the mind and seeks reconciliation. Ethically, it suggests that choosing non-violence and negotiation is wiser than a war that would destroy one’s own family and social order.
In Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses the Kauravas, expressing a preference for avoiding war with the Pāṇḍavas and urging that, if they too desire non-war, they should actively pursue peace.