Shloka 23
Virāṭa-sabhāyāṃ Saṃniveśaḥ — Assembly at Virāṭa’s Hall and Kṛṣṇa’s Diplomatic Counsel
समेत्य सर्वे सहिता: सुहद्धि- स्तेषां विनाशाय यतेयुरेव । दुर्योधनस्थापि मतं यथाव- न्न ज्ञायते कि नु करिष्यतीति
sametya sarve sahitāḥ suhṛdbhiḥ teṣāṁ vināśāya yatayerur eva | duryodhanasyāpi mataṁ yathāvan na jñāyate kiṁ nu kariṣyatīti ||
तथापि ये सब अपने हितैषी सुहृदों के साथ मिलकर शत्रुओं के विनाश के लिये अवश्य ही प्रयत्न करेंगे; अतः इन्हें आप लोग दुर्बल न समझें। परन्तु युद्ध का निश्चय अभी कैसे किया जाय? क्योंकि दुर्योधन के मत का भी अभी ठीक-ठीक पता नहीं कि वह क्या करेगा।
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not underestimate a united side supported by loyal well-wishers; at the same time, act with prudence because ethical and political decisions—especially war—require clarity about the opponent’s resolve and intentions.
Kṛṣṇa assesses the situation: the opposing party, once gathered with allies, will actively work to destroy their enemies, but a definitive commitment to war is premature since Duryodhana’s exact decision is not yet known.