Shloka 18
Nakula’s Adaptive Counsel to Kṛṣṇa in the Kuru Assembly (उद्योगपर्व, अध्याय ७८)
यत् तु वाचा मया शक्यं कर्मणा वापि पाण्डव । करिष्ये तदहं पार्थ न त्वाशंसे शमं परै:
yat tu vācā mayā śakyaṃ karmaṇā vāpi pāṇḍava | kariṣye tad ahaṃ pārtha na tv āśaṃse śamaṃ paraiḥ ||
Wahai Pāṇḍava! Apa pun yang dapat kulakukan lewat kata-kata maupun tindakan, pasti akan kulakukan. Namun, wahai Pārtha, aku tidak menaruh harapan sedikit pun bahwa perdamaian atau rekonsiliasi dengan musuh akan tercapai.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should exert oneself fully—through persuasive speech and practical effort—for a righteous resolution, yet remain clear-eyed about the opponent’s intentions; duty requires sincere attempt, not naïve expectation.
Arjuna declares his readiness to do everything within his power, both verbally and through action, to pursue a settlement, but he expresses firm doubt that the adversaries will agree to peace.