Shloka 14
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
उभयोश्वाददा: साहामुभयोश्व हिते रत:,आपने तो दोनों पक्षोंको ही सहायता दी है, आप उभयपक्षके हित-साधनमें तत्पर हैं। माधव! महाराज धूृतराष्ट्रके आप प्रिय सम्बन्धी भी हैं। चक्र और गदा धारण करनेवाले गोविन्द! आपको धर्म और अर्थका सम्पूर्णरूपसे यथार्थ ज्ञान भी है; फिर मेरा आतिथ्य ग्रहण न करनेका क्या कारण है; यह मैं सुनना चाहता हूँ
ubhayor dadāḥ sahāyam ubhayor hitе rataḥ | āpanne tau dvau pakṣau hi sahāyyaṁ te kṛtaṁ vibho || mādhava dhṛtarāṣṭrasya priyaḥ sambandhī cāsi vai | cakra-gadā-dhara govinda dharmārthau te yathārthataḥ || atha me ’tithyam ādatte na kathaṁ hetur atra te | etad icchāmi śrotuṁ vai ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “You have extended help to both sides and are devoted to the welfare of both. Indeed, when these two parties came into conflict, you supported them. O Mādhava, you are also a dear kinsman of King Dhṛtarāṣṭra. O Govinda, bearer of discus and mace, you possess a complete and accurate understanding of dharma and artha. Why, then, do you refuse to accept my hospitality? I wish to hear the reason.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical statesmanship: one who truly knows dharma and artha can act for the welfare of all parties, yet must also explain choices that appear to violate social duties like accepting hospitality. It frames Kṛṣṇa as impartial and principled, accountable to moral reasoning rather than mere factional loyalty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a moment where Kṛṣṇa is addressed as having aided both factions in the Kuru dispute and being dear to Dhṛtarāṣṭra. The speaker questions why Kṛṣṇa declines the offered hospitality and asks him to state the reason—setting up a diplomatic-ethical explanation in the lead-up to war.