Shloka 4
उद्योगपर्व (अध्याय १२९) — केशवस्य वैभवप्रदर्शनम् / Krishna’s Theophanic Display in the Kuru Assembly
पुरायमस्मान् गृलह्नाति क्षिप्रकारी जनार्दन: । सहितो धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा शान्तनवेन च
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
purāyam asmān gṛhṇāti kṣiprakārī janārdanaḥ |
sahito dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa rājñā śāntanavena ca ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ce Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa), prompt à agir, va bientôt nous saisir, soutenu par le roi Dhṛtarāṣṭra et le Śāntanava (Bhīṣma). Aussi, avant qu’il ne nous jette en prison, emparons-nous nous-mêmes par la force de Hṛṣīkeśa, lion parmi les hommes, et mettons-le aux fers—comme Indra jadis lia Bali, fils de Virocana.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear and political calculation can drive unethical proposals—such as arresting a messenger or mediator. By invoking Indra’s binding of Bali, the speakers try to legitimize coercion through precedent, illustrating how power often seeks moral cover even for questionable acts.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war diplomacy, some in the Kaurava camp suspect Kṛṣṇa will act decisively against them with Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Bhīṣma’s support. They propose preemptively overpowering and detaining Kṛṣṇa, comparing it to Indra’s capture of Bali.