Shloka 3
कृष्ण-दूतविषये दुर्योधनस्य बन्धन-प्रस्तावः — Duryodhana’s Proposal to Detain Krishna
Envoy-Ethics Debate
लेखा शशिनि भा: सूर्ये महोर्मिरिव सागरे । धर्मस्त्वयि तथा राजन्निति व्यवसिता: प्रजा:
lekhā śaśini bhāḥ sūrye mahormir iva sāgare | dharmas tvayi tathā rājann iti vyavasitāḥ prajāḥ ||
Vidura said: “As the moon bears its markings, as the sun bears its radiance, and as the ocean bears its mighty waves—so too, O King, the people are firmly convinced that dharma abides in you.”
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s moral character is not private; it becomes the public measure of dharma. Just as natural qualities belong inseparably to the moon, sun, and ocean, dharma is expected to be inseparable from the king, because the people model their sense of justice on him.
Vidura addresses the king with counsel, emphasizing that the subjects are firmly persuaded that righteousness resides in him. The verse functions as a moral reminder: the king’s decisions and behavior will shape the ethical climate of the realm.