Shloka 2
अध्याय ८२ — केशवप्रयाणे निमित्तदर्शनम्
Omens and Reception During Keśava’s Departure
पाण्डवैर्धार्तराष्ट्राणां प्रतिपाद्यमनामयम् । समर्थ: प्रशमं चैव कर्तुमहसि केशव,केशव! पाण्डवोंसहित धृतराष्ट्रपुत्रोंका मंगल सम्पादन करना आपका कर्तव्य है। आप उभयपक्षमें संधि करानेकी शक्ति भी रखते हैं
pāṇḍavair dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ pratipādyam anāmayam | samarthaḥ praśamaṁ caiva kartum arhasi keśava keśava ||
Arjuna said: “O Keśava, it is for you to secure the welfare and safety that must be established for both the Pāṇḍavas and the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. You are capable of bringing about pacification and reconciliation between the two sides; therefore you ought to accomplish peace.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharma as the active pursuit of peace and welfare: when a capable and respected mediator exists, it is ethically incumbent upon them to attempt reconciliation and prevent harm to both sides.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa (Keśava), urging him to use his influence and ability to establish the well-being of both the Pāṇḍavas and the Dhārtarāṣṭras by bringing about pacification and a peace settlement.