Shloka 23
उद्योगपर्व — धृतराष्ट्रस्य दुर्योधनप्रति शक्तिस्मारक-उपदेशः
Udyoga Parva 63: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Counsel Reminding Duryodhana of Opponent Strength
दुर्योधनो योद्धुमना: समरे सव्यसाचिना । न च पश्यामि तेजो<स्य विक्रमं वा तथाविधम्
duryodhano yoddhumanāḥ samare savyasācinā | na ca paśyāmi tejo 'sya vikramaṃ vā tathāvidham ||
Vidura dit : «Duryodhana est résolu à combattre sur le champ de bataille Savyasācin (Arjuna) ; pourtant je ne vois en lui ni l’éclat ni la prouesse qui puissent se comparer à ceux d’Arjuna. Sa résolution retentit haut, mais sa force n’est pas à la mesure de l’adversaire qu’il recherche.»
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vidura warns against prideful aggression: mere desire to fight does not equal true capability. Ethical counsel here emphasizes realistic self-assessment and restraint, especially when war is driven by arrogance rather than dharma.
In Udyoga Parva, Vidura counsels the Kuru court, highlighting the imbalance between Duryodhana’s belligerent intent and Arjuna’s superior martial brilliance. The statement functions as a caution that provoking war against stronger, righteous opponents invites ruin.