Shloka 14
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 69: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reverential Address to Sañjaya on Vāsudeva
अतत्त्वं कुरुते तत्त्व तेन मोहयते प्रजा:,वे अपनी सत्ता-स्फूर्ति देकर असत्यको भी सत्य-सा कर देते हैं और इस प्रकार सारी प्रजाको मोहमें डाल देते हैं
atattvaṁ kurute tattvaṁ tena mohayate prajāḥ |
Ia menjadikan yang tidak benar tampak sebagai kebenaran; dan dengan daya itu pula ia membius hati rakyat dalam kebingungan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Falsehood can be made to look like truth when backed by power, prestige, or persuasive speech; such distortion creates moha (delusion) in society. The verse cautions that leaders bear special responsibility to protect truth, because their influence can normalize error.
Sañjaya, reporting and reflecting within the Udyoga Parva’s tense pre-war diplomacy, comments on how a figure’s authority can make the untrue seem true, thereby misleading the populace—an observation relevant to the moral and political confusion surrounding the impending conflict.