Shloka 61
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
न मे विशेषो जात्वासीदू धार्तराष्ट्रेषु पाण्डवै: । तेन सत्येन कृष्ण त्वां हतामित्र श्रिया वृतम् । अस्माद् विमुक्तं संग्रामात् पश्येयं पाण्डवै: सह
na me viśeṣo jātva āsīd dhārtarāṣṭreṣu pāṇḍavaiḥ | tena satyena kṛṣṇa tvāṃ hatāmitra śriyā vṛtam | asmād vimuktaṃ saṃgrāmāt paśyeyaṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Never, at any time, did I hold a bias—either toward the Dhārtarāṣṭras or toward the Pāṇḍavas. By that truth, O Kṛṣṇa—O slayer of foes—may I behold you, encircled by prosperity and well-being, and may I be released from this war together with the Pāṇḍavas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights satya (truthfulness) and impartiality as moral powers: the speaker claims he never showed bias between the Kauravas and Pāṇḍavas, and invokes that truth as a solemn assurance (satya-vacana) to wish well-being for Kṛṣṇa and to seek freedom from the destructive burden of war.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a truth-affirmation is voiced: the speaker declares neutrality between the two rival houses and, by the force of that truthful claim, offers a benediction—may Kṛṣṇa be seen flourishing in śrī (auspicious prosperity) and may the speaker (together with the Pāṇḍavas) be delivered from the impending/ongoing conflict.