Mahabharata 3.21.12 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 12
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
द्वारकाधिपतिर्वीर आह त्वामाहुको वच: । केशवैहि विजानीष्व यत् त्वां पितृसखो<ब्रवीत्
dvārakādhipatir vīra āha tvām āhuko vacaḥ | keśava iha vijānīṣva yat tvāṁ pitṛ-sakho 'bravīt ||
Vāyu dit : «Ô héros ! Le seigneur de Dvārakā—Āhuka—t’adresse ce message. Ô Keśava ! Il est l’ami de ton père ; viens donc ici et apprends ce qu’il t’a déclaré.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in social relations: when a legitimate authority or respected elder—especially one bound by friendship to one’s father—sends a message, one should respond with attentiveness and responsibility. It underscores trust, lineage-based obligations, and the ethical weight of a messenger’s words.
Vāyu reports a message addressed to Keśava (Kṛṣṇa): the ruler associated with Dvārakā, named Āhuka, summons him. The messenger emphasizes Āhuka’s close relationship to Kṛṣṇa’s father, urging Kṛṣṇa to come and hear/verify what is to be communicated.
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