Shloka 19
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १४० (कृष्णेन कर्णं प्रति पाण्डवबल-वैशिष्ट्यप्रदर्शनम्) / Udyoga Parva, Chapter 140
Krishna’s appraisal of Pandava advantage and war portents
असंशयं हितार्थाय ब्रूयास्त्वं मधुसूदन । सर्व च पाण्डवा: कुर्युस्त्वद्वशित्वान्न संशय:
asaṁśayaṁ hitārthāya brūyās tvaṁ madhusūdana | sarvaṁ ca pāṇḍavāḥ kuryus tvad-vaśitvān na saṁśayaḥ ||
Sin duda, oh Madhusūdana, dices todo esto únicamente por mi bien. Y los Pāṇḍava están bajo tu influjo; por ello, cuanto les ordenes hacer, sin falta lo harán: de esto tampoco hay duda.
कर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Karna acknowledges the goodwill behind Kṛṣṇa’s counsel and recognizes Kṛṣṇa’s moral authority over the Pāṇḍavas. The verse highlights how persuasive ethical leadership can shape collective action, and it frames counsel as an act meant for another’s welfare rather than self-interest.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Kṛṣṇa speaks with Karna, urging a course that could avert catastrophe and align with rightful conduct. Karna responds that Kṛṣṇa’s words are surely for his benefit and adds that the Pāṇḍavas will comply with whatever Kṛṣṇa instructs, emphasizing Kṛṣṇa’s influence in their camp.