Shloka 23
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
समेत्य सर्वे सहिता: सुहद्धि- स्तेषां विनाशाय यतेयुरेव । दुर्योधनस्थापि मतं यथाव- न्न ज्ञायते कि नु करिष्यतीति
sametya sarve sahitāḥ suhṛdbhiḥ teṣāṁ vināśāya yatayerur eva | duryodhanasyāpi mataṁ yathāvan na jñāyate kiṁ nu kariṣyatīti ||
Kṛṣṇa dit que, lorsque tous se seront rassemblés avec leurs alliés bienveillants, ils s’emploieront assurément à la destruction de leurs ennemis ; qu’on ne les tienne donc pas pour faibles. Pourtant, on ne peut arrêter sur-le-champ une décision ferme de guerre, car l’intention même de Duryodhana n’est pas encore clairement connue : que choisira-t-il, en vérité, de faire ?
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not underestimate a united side supported by loyal well-wishers; at the same time, act with prudence because ethical and political decisions—especially war—require clarity about the opponent’s resolve and intentions.
Kṛṣṇa assesses the situation: the opposing party, once gathered with allies, will actively work to destroy their enemies, but a definitive commitment to war is premature since Duryodhana’s exact decision is not yet known.