Shloka 9
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
विविधास्तरणास्तीर्णमभ्युपाविशदच्युत: । उस राजसभामें सुन्दर रत्नोंसे विभूषित एक सुवर्णमय पर्यक रखा हुआ था, जिसपर भाँति-भाँतिके बिछौने बिछे हुए थे। भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण उसीपर विराजमान हुए ।। ८ ह ।। तस्मिन् गां मधुपर्क चाप्युदकं च जनार्दने
vaśaṃpāyana uvāca | vividhāstaraṇāstīrṇam abhyupāviśad acyutaḥ | tasmin rājāsabhāyāṃ sundara-ratnaiḥ vibhūṣitaḥ suvarṇamayaḥ paryaṅkaḥ sthāpita āsīt, yasmin nānāvidhāni śayanāni tīrṇāni āsan | bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇas tasminn eva virājām āsa || tasmin gāṃ madhuparkaṃ cāpy udakaṃ ca janārdane ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Acyuta (Kṛṣṇa) tomó asiento en un lecho extendido con muchas clases de cobertores. En aquella asamblea real había un diván de oro, adornado con hermosas gemas, sobre el cual se habían dispuesto diversos lechos; y el Bienaventurado Śrī Kṛṣṇa se sentó allí con dignidad. Entonces, para Janārdana, trajeron una vaca, el madhuparka (la mezcla ritual de miel) y agua—honores debidos a un huésped venerable—señalando tanto el respeto como la obligación ética de la hospitalidad, aun cuando el conflicto se cernía cercano.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when political tensions are high, dharma requires proper respect and hospitality toward a worthy guest—especially an envoy like Kṛṣṇa. The scene underscores ethical restraint and adherence to social-ritual obligations as a foundation for righteous conduct.
Kṛṣṇa enters the royal assembly and is seated on an ornate golden couch with many coverings. The hosts then present traditional honours—cow, madhuparka, and water—marking a formal reception of an eminent visitor in the diplomatic context of the Udyoga Parva.