Shloka 2
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 72 — Bhīmasena’s counsel on conciliation and Duryodhana’s disposition
तव धर्मश्रिता बुद्धिस्तेषां वैराश्रया मति: । यदयुद्धेन लभ्येत तत् ते बहुमतं भवेत्,आपकी बुद्धि धर्ममें स्थित है और उनकी बुद्धिने शत्रुताका आश्रय ले रखा है। आप तो बिना युद्ध किये जो कुछ मिल जाय, उसीको बहुत समझेंगे
tava dharmaśritā buddhis teṣāṃ vairāśrayā matiḥ | yad ayuddhena labhyeta tat te bahumataṃ bhavet ||
Your understanding is grounded in dharma, while their thinking has taken refuge in enmity. Whatever could be obtained without resorting to war—that alone would seem to you the most worthwhile.
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral contrast: a dharma-rooted intellect values outcomes achieved without violence, whereas an enmity-rooted mindset tends toward conflict. It frames non-war gains as ethically superior when they can secure rightful aims.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, the speaker addresses Yudhiṣṭhira, characterizing him as peace-inclined and dharma-guided, while portraying the opposing side as driven by hostility—setting the ethical tone for attempts to avoid war.