Shloka 3
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
न त्वहं स्ववशस्तात क्रियमाणं न मे प्रियम् । (न मंस्यन्ते दुरात्मान: पुत्रा मम जनार्दन ।) अड़ुं दुर्योधनं कृष्ण मन्दं शास्त्रातिगं मम
na tv ahaṁ svavaśas tāta kriyamāṇaṁ na me priyam | (na maṁsyante durātmānaḥ putrā mama janārdana |) aḍuṁ duryodhanaṁ kṛṣṇa mandaṁ śāstrātigaṁ mama
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Mais, cher ami, je n’agis pas de mon plein gré ; ce qui se fait ne m’est point agréable. Ces fils miens, à l’âme mauvaise, ô Janārdana, n’écouteront pas le bon conseil. Ô Kṛṣṇa, Duryodhana est entêté et obtus, et il franchit les bornes du śāstra : telle est ma douleur.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical accountability: when leaders or heirs become śāstrātiga—transgressing moral and scriptural restraint—wise counsel fails, and even those who disapprove may feel powerless. It underscores the danger of obstinacy and the necessity of heeding dharmic guidance.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and counsel, the speaker laments that events are unfolding against his preference because Duryodhana (and the Kaurava party) will not accept good advice. Kṛṣṇa is addressed as Janārdana, indicating an appeal to his moral authority and diplomatic role.