Shloka 19
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच धार्तराष्ट्रो जनार्दनम् । न युक्त भवतास्मासु प्रतिपत्तुमसाम्प्रतम्,यह सुनकर दुर्योधनने जनार्दनसे कहा--“आपको हमलोगोंके साथ ऐसा अनुचित बर्ताव नहीं करना चाहिये”
evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca dhārtarāṣṭro janārdanam | na yuktaṁ bhavatāsmāsu pratipattum asāmpratam ||
Así interpelado, el hijo de Dhṛtarāṣṭra respondió a Janārdana: «No es propio de ti, en este momento, tratarnos de manera injusta o impropia».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how ethical language can be used defensively: Duryodhana appeals to ‘propriety’ and ‘fair dealing’ to challenge Kṛṣṇa, even while refusing the just course. It invites reflection on the difference between genuine dharma and rhetorical claims of fairness made to protect self-interest.
After Kṛṣṇa (Janārdana) addresses him, Duryodhana responds, asserting that Kṛṣṇa should not treat the Kauravas improperly ‘at this time.’ The exchange occurs in the tense pre-war negotiations of the Udyoga Parva, where counsel and diplomacy are failing.