Shloka 22
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
लोकस्येश्वरतां भूय: शन्रुभि क्षाप्यधृष्यताम् । प्राप्स्यसि त्वममित्रध्न सहित: कुरुपाण्डवै:
lokasyeśvaratāṃ bhūyaḥ śatrubhiḥ kṣāpyadhṛṣyatām | prāpsyasi tvam amitradhna sahitaḥ kuru-pāṇḍavaiḥ śatrusūdana nareśa ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O king, slayer of foes—if you stand united with the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas, you will once again attain sovereignty over the whole world and become unassailable to your enemies.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Legitimate and stable sovereignty is portrayed as arising from unity and rightful alliance; reconciliation among kin (Kurus and Pāṇḍavas) is framed as the ethical path that restores strength and makes the ruler secure against hostile forces.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a reassurance or exhortation to a king: by remaining together with both Kuru and Pāṇḍava factions, he will regain overarching kingship and become effectively invincible to enemies—highlighting the political stakes of concord versus division.