Shloka 2

उद्योगपर्व — विदुरोक्तिः

Dhṛtarāṣṭra Addressed on Sincerity, Hospitality, and Settlement

Devanagari script

आहुकानामधिपति: पुरोग: सर्वसात्वताम्‌ । महामना महावीर्यों महासत्त्वो जनार्दन:

Transliteration

Āhukānām adhipatiḥ purogaḥ sarva-sātvatām | mahāmanā mahāvīryo mahāsattvo janārdanaḥ ||

Translation

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa)—the lord of the Āhukas, the foremost among all the Sātvatas—is high-souled, of great valor, and possessed of mighty strength.”

Word by Word

• आहुकानाम्: of the Ahukas (Yadava clan/descendants of Ahuka)
• आहुकानाम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: आहुक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• अधिपतिः: lord, ruler
• अधिपतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधिपति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पुरोगः: leader, one who goes in front
• पुरोगः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरोग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सर्वसात्वताम्: of all the Sātvatas (Vrishni/Yadavas)
• सर्वसात्वताम्: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सर्वसात्वत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• महामना: great-souled, magnanimous
• महामना: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महामनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महावीर्यः: of great prowess
• महावीर्यः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महावीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• महासत्त्वः: of great strength/valor
• महासत्त्वः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महासत्त्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• जनार्दनः: Janārdana (Krishna)
• जनार्दनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: जनार्दन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

धृतराष्ट उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Dhṛtarāṣṭra
• Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa)
• Āhukas
• Sātvatas

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the classical markers of an ideal leader—nobility of mind, valor, and strength—while grounding authority in lineage and recognized eminence. In the ethical-political frame of the Udyoga Parva, such praise underscores why Kṛṣṇa’s counsel carries weight in matters of dharma and statecraft.

What is happening in the narrative?

Dhṛtarāṣṭra is referring to Kṛṣṇa by his clan-identities and honorifics, describing him as the foremost among the Sātvatas and a powerful, high-minded figure. This functions as a respectful characterization of Kṛṣṇa in the lead-up to crucial negotiations and decisions surrounding the impending war.