Shloka 25
उद्योगपर्व — धृतराष्ट्रस्य दुर्योधनप्रति शक्तिस्मारक-उपदेशः
Udyoga Parva 63: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel Reminding Duryodhana of Opponent Strength
विराटनगरे भग्ना: कि तत्र तव दृश्यताम् । प्रतीक्षमाणो यो वीर: क्षमते वीक्षितं तव,जिस वीरने अकेले ही रथपर बैठकर सारी पृथ्वीपर विजय पायी है, विराटनगरपर चढ़ाई करने गये हुए भीष्म और द्रोण-जैसे महान् योद्धाओंको भी जिसने भयभीत करके भगा दिया है, उसके सामने आपका पुत्र क्या पराक्रम कर सकता है? यह आप ही देखिये। आज भी वह वीर आपकी मैत्रीपूर्ण दृष्टिकी प्रतीक्षा कर रहा है और आपकी आज्ञासे वह कौरवोंका सारा अपराध क्षमा कर सकता है
virāṭanagare bhagnāḥ ki tatra tava dṛśyatām | pratīkṣamāṇo yo vīraḥ kṣamate vīkṣitaṃ tava ||
Vidura said: “They were routed in the city of Virāṭa—what strength of yours is to be seen there? That hero, who still waits for your friendly glance, is capable—if you but look upon him with favor—of forgiving the entire wrongdoing of the Kauravas.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura urges the king to recognize reality and choose reconciliation: a truly great hero can forgive when met with sincere, respectful regard, and wise kingship lies in abandoning pride and ending wrongdoing before it becomes irreversible.
In the lead-up to war, Vidura reminds the Kuru court that their forces were once humiliated at Virāṭa, implying the Pandava champion’s superiority. He advises that if the king shows goodwill, that hero may forgive the Kauravas’ offenses—pointing toward peace over escalation.