Shloka 4
Nārada’s Visit at Indraprastha and Counsel on Concord; Introduction to Sundopasunda–Tilottamā
दुर्योधन उवाच अद्य तान् कुशलैविंप्रै: सुगुप्तैराप्तकारिभि: । कुन्तीपुत्रान् भेदयामो माद्रीपुत्रो च पाण्डवी,दुर्योधन बोला--पिताजी! आज अत्यन्त गुप्तरूपसे कुछ ऐसे चतुर ब्राह्मणोंको नियुक्त करना चाहिये, जिनके कार्योंपर हमारा पूर्ण विश्वास हो। हमें उनके द्वारा पाण्डवोंमेंसे कुन्ती और माद्रीके पुत्रोंमें फूट डालनेकी चेष्टा करनी चाहिये
duryodhana uvāca: adya tān kuśalair vipraiḥ sugupthair āptakāribhiḥ | kuntīputrān bhedayāmo mādrīputraś ca pāṇḍavī ||
Duryodhana dit : «Aujourd’hui, employons des brāhmanes habiles—bien dissimulés et agents dignes de confiance—pour servir notre dessein. Par leur entremise, tâchons de semer la discorde parmi les Pāṇḍava, en opposant les fils de Kuntī au fils de Mādrī.»
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an adharma-driven tactic: using secrecy, manipulation, and even the instrumentalization of respected brāhmaṇas to fracture family unity. It implicitly contrasts such covert divisive politics with dharmic conduct that seeks truth, transparency, and reconciliation.
Duryodhana proposes to his father that they appoint clever, hidden, trustworthy operatives in the guise of brāhmaṇas to create a rift within the Pāṇḍavas—specifically between Kuntī’s sons and Mādrī’s son(s)—so that the brothers’ solidarity is weakened.