Shloka 49
प्रभो! मधुसूदन श्रीकृष्ण! आप माताको प्रणाम करके मेरे कथनानुसार धुृतराष्ट्र, दुर्योधन, अन्यान्य वयोवृद्ध नरेश, भीष्म, द्रोण, कृप, महाराज बाह्लीक, द्रोणपुत्र अश्वत्थामा, सोमदत्त, समस्त भरतवंशी क्षत्रिय-वृन्द तथा कौरवोंके मन्त्रकी रक्षा करनेवाले, मर्मवेत्ता, अगाधबुद्धि एवं महाज्ञानी विदुरके पास जाकर इन सबको हृदयसे लगाइयेगा-- ।। ४६-- ४८ || इत्युक्त्वा केशवं तत्र राजमध्ये युधिष्ठिर: । अनुज्ञातो निववृते कृष्णं कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्
ity uktvā keśavaṁ tatra rājamadhye yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | anujñāto nivavṛte kṛṣṇaṁ kṛtvā pradakṣiṇam ||
“O lord—Madhusūdana, Śrī Kṛṣṇa! After bowing to your mother, go as I have said to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Duryodhana, the other aged kings, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, King Bāhlīka, Aśvatthāmā the son of Droṇa, Somadatta, the whole host of Bharata kṣatriyas and the Kauravas; and also to Vidura—guardian of the Kauravas’ counsel, knower of the vital secrets, of unfathomable intellect, a great sage—and embrace them all from the heart.” Having spoken thus, Yudhiṣṭhira, amid the assembled kings, took leave and withdrew—after respectfully circumambulating Kṛṣṇa.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in conflict-driven political situations, dharma is upheld through humility, reverence, and correct conduct—seeking consent, honoring the worthy (especially Kṛṣṇa as guide/mediator), and maintaining self-restraint rather than acting from haste or pride.
After addressing Kṛṣṇa in the royal assembly and giving his instructions/appeal, Yudhiṣṭhira formally takes leave. He performs pradakṣiṇā of Kṛṣṇa as a sign of respect and then withdraws, marking a transition from counsel to action in the diplomatic mission.