Shloka 17
Adhyāya 59: Vidura’s Admonition to Duryodhana after the Summons of Draupadī (सभा पर्व)
एवं त्वं मामिहाभ्येत्य निकृतिं यदि मन्यसे । देवनाद् विनिवर्तस्व यदि ते विद्यते भयम्
evaṁ tvaṁ mām ihābhyetya nikṛtiṁ yadi manyase | devanād vinivartasva yadi te vidyate bhayam ||
Si, en t’avançant vers moi ici, tu crois pouvoir user de ruse contre moi, alors rebrousse chemin sur-le-champ—au seul son de l’appel divin—s’il demeure en toi la moindre crainte.
युधिषछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames deceit (nikṛti) as morally blameworthy and challenges the opponent to desist if fear remains, implying that honorable conduct requires openness rather than trickery—especially in a royal or public setting where dharma is under scrutiny.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses an approaching party directly, warning that if the person has come intending deception, they should turn back immediately at the authoritative ‘divine summons,’ underscoring a tense moment where sincerity versus treachery is being tested.