Shloka 136
Drupada’s Instruction to the Purohita for the Kaurava Embassy (द्रुपदोपदेशः दूतप्रेषणम्)
संगत्या धृतराष्ट्रश्न कुर्याद् धर्म्य वचस्तव । वहाँ आपके जानेका यही प्रयोजन प्रधान-रूपसे दिखायी देता है। यह भी सम्भव है कि आपकी संगतिसे धृतराष्ट्रका मन बदल जाय और वे आपकी धर्मानुकूल बात स्वीकार कर लें
saṅgatyā dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca kuryād dharmyaṃ vacas tava | tatra āpake jāne kā yahī prayojanaṃ pradhāna-rūpase dikhāyī detā hai | etad api sambhavaḥ yat tava saṅgatyā dhṛtarāṣṭrasya manaḥ badal jāy aur te tava dharmānukūlaṃ vākyam svīkṛtya gṛhṇīyuḥ |
By associating with you, even Dhṛtarāṣṭra may be brought to speak and act in a righteous way. This seems to be the chief purpose of your going there. It is also possible that, through your company, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s mind may change and he may accept your words as being in accord with dharma.
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Righteous speech and action can be encouraged through good association; ethical counsel aims to transform a ruler’s mind toward dharma, especially when conflict is imminent.
Dṛupada explains that the main reason for going to Dhṛtarāṣṭra is to influence him through virtuous company and counsel, hoping the king will change his mind and accept a dharma-aligned course.