Shloka 27
सुरभि–इन्द्रसंवादः
Surabhi–Indra Dialogue as a Governance Exemplar
कस्तान् युधि समासीत जरामरणवान् नर: । तस्य ते शम एवास्तु पाण्डवैर्भरतर्षभ,जरा और मृत्युके वशमें रहनेवाला कौन मनुष्य युद्धमें उन पाण्डवोंका सामना कर सकता है। भरतकुल-भूषण! ऐसे महापराक्रमी पाण्डवोंके साथ तुम्हें शान्तिपूर्वक मिलकर ही रहना चाहिये
maitreya uvāca | kastān yudhi samāsīta jarāmaraṇavān naraḥ | tasya te śama evāstu pāṇḍavair bharatarṣabha ||
Maitreya said: “What mortal, subject to old age and death, could ever stand against those Pāṇḍavas in battle? O bull among the Bharatas, therefore let there be peace for you with the Pāṇḍavas—live in concord with them.”
मैत्रेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A mortal bound by aging and death should not pursue ruinous conflict against superior foes; wisdom lies in choosing śama—reconciliation and peaceful coexistence—especially when dharma and prudence both favor restraint.
Maitreya addresses a Bharata prince/elder (implicitly from the Kuru line) and warns that no ordinary man can withstand the Pāṇḍavas in war; he urges making peace with them rather than escalating hostility.