Yudhiṣṭhira’s Procession, Encampment (Niveśa), and Auspicious Timing for Ritual Action
कुरूणां हितकामेन प्रोक्तं कृष्णेन धीमता । “वीर बन्धुओ! कौरवोंके हितकी कामना रखनेवाले बुद्धिमान् महात्मा श्रीकृष्णने सौहार्दवश जो बात कही थी, वह सब तो तुमने सुनी ही थी
kurūṇāṃ hitakāmena proktaṃ kṛṣṇena dhīmatā |
Vaiśampāyana said: The wise Kṛṣṇa, moved by goodwill and desiring the welfare of the Kurus, had spoken certain counsel. You have already heard in full what that great-souled one said out of friendship for the Kauravas’ benefit.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even amid political rivalry, wise leadership is marked by seeking the opponent’s welfare and speaking counsel from goodwill (hita-kāma, sauhārda). The verse highlights ethical speech: advice should be motivated by the common good rather than self-interest.
The narrator Vaiśampāyana recalls that Kṛṣṇa had earlier addressed the Kuru/Kaurava side with friendly, welfare-oriented counsel. He notes that the listeners have already heard that entire message, situating the present passage as a continuation or recollection of prior advice.