Shloka 73
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
ब्रूया माधव राजानं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम् । भूयांस्ते हीयते धर्मो मा पुत्रक वृथा कृथा:
brūyā mādhava rājānaṃ dharmātmānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram | bhūyāṃs te hīyate dharmo mā putraka vṛthā kṛthāḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Oh Mādhava, habla con el rey Yudhiṣṭhira, ese de alma justa: “Hijo mío, tu dharma se está menguando en gran medida; no lo malgastes en vano.”»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is not merely a label but a living moral capital that can increase or diminish through choices. The verse urges restraint and conscientious action: do not let frustration, haste, or misguided resolve cause a needless loss of righteousness.
In the Udyoga Parva’s tense pre-war deliberations, Vaiśampāyana reports an instruction directed to Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa): he is to address King Yudhiṣṭhira and warn him that his dharma is being seriously eroded, and that he should not destroy it through futile or misguided action.