Shloka 23
युधिष्ठिरो भूतहिते रत: सदा वृकोदरस्तद्वशगस्तथा यमौ । त्वया तु पार्थश्न॒ कृते च संविदे प्रजा: शिवं प्राप्तुयुरिच्छया तव,'युधिष्ठिर तो सभी प्राणियोंके हितमें ही लगे रहते हैं। अतः वे भी मेरी बात मान लेंगे। बाकी रहे भीमसेन और नकुल-सहदेव, सो ये भी धर्मराजके अधीन हैं; (अत: उनकी इच्छाके विरुद्ध कुछ नहीं करेंगे) इस प्रकार पाण्डवोंके साथ तुम्हारी संधि हो जानेपर सारी प्रजाका कल्याण होगा। फिर तुम्हारी इच्छासे सगे-सम्बन्धी भाई-बन्धु अपने-अपने नगरको लौट जायेँ और समस्त सैनिकोंको युद्धसे छुट्टी मिल जाय। नरेश्वर! यदि मेरी बात नहीं सुनोगे तो निश्चय ही युद्धमें शत्रुओंके हाथसे मारे जाओगे और उस समय तुम्हें बड़ा पश्चात्ताप होगा
yudhiṣṭhiro bhūtahite rataḥ sadā vṛkodaras-tadvaśagas-tathā yamau | tvayā tu pārthaśna kṛte ca saṃvide prajāḥ śivaṃ prāptuyur icchayā tava ||
Sañjaya said: “Yudhiṣṭhira is ever devoted to the welfare of all beings; therefore he will accept my counsel. As for Bhīma and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, they too are under Dharmarāja’s guidance and will not act against his will. If you conclude a settlement with the Pāṇḍavas, the whole realm will attain well-being by your own choice—kinsmen will return to their cities, and the armies will be released from the burden of war.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s best choice is to prioritize the welfare of all beings and subjects; peace through a just settlement is portrayed as ethically superior to war, especially when guided by a dharma-centered leader like Yudhiṣṭhira.
Sañjaya argues that Yudhiṣṭhira is consistently committed to universal welfare and will accept reasonable counsel; since Bhīma and the twins follow Yudhiṣṭhira’s lead, a treaty with the Pāṇḍavas is feasible and would bring peace and prosperity to the people.