Shloka 6
द्रुपदवाक्यं
Drupada’s Counsel on Conciliation and Alliance Mobilization
मृदु वै मन्यते पापो भाषमाणमशक्तिकम् । जितमर्थ विजानीयादबुधो मार्दवे सति
mṛdu vai manyate pāpo bhāṣamāṇam aśaktikam | jitam arthaṃ vijānīyād abudho mārdave sati ||
Drupada dit : «L’homme mauvais tient pour impuissant celui qui parle avec douceur. Quand on lui montre de la mansuétude, l’insensé s’imagine : “J’ai pris l’avantage ; j’ai conquis ses intérêts (ou ses richesses)”.»
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Gentle speech and mild conduct are virtues, but unethical and foolish people may misinterpret them as weakness and presume they can seize advantage; therefore discernment is needed in dealing with the wicked.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war deliberations, Drupada reflects on political and moral psychology: how certain adversaries respond to conciliatory or gentle approaches, mistaking restraint for incapacity and claiming victory over one’s interests.