Shloka 14
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
उभयोश्वाददा: साहामुभयोश्व हिते रत:
ubhayor dadāḥ sahāyam ubhayor hitе rataḥ | āpanne tau dvau pakṣau hi sahāyyaṁ te kṛtaṁ vibho || mādhava dhṛtarāṣṭrasya priyaḥ sambandhī cāsi vai | cakra-gadā-dhara govinda dharmārthau te yathārthataḥ || atha me ’tithyam ādatte na kathaṁ hetur atra te | etad icchāmi śrotuṁ vai ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「汝は両陣営に助けを差し伸べ、双方の安寧のために尽くしてきた。両派が争いに及んだときも、汝は彼らを支えた。おおマーダヴァよ、汝はまた、王ドリタラーシュトラに愛される近親でもある。おおゴーヴィンダよ、円盤（チャクラ）と棍棒（ガダー）を携える者よ、汝はダルマとアルタを完全に、しかも正しく知り尽くしている。されば、なぜ我がもてなしを受け入れぬのか。その理由を聞きたい。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical statesmanship: one who truly knows dharma and artha can act for the welfare of all parties, yet must also explain choices that appear to violate social duties like accepting hospitality. It frames Kṛṣṇa as impartial and principled, accountable to moral reasoning rather than mere factional loyalty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a moment where Kṛṣṇa is addressed as having aided both factions in the Kuru dispute and being dear to Dhṛtarāṣṭra. The speaker questions why Kṛṣṇa declines the offered hospitality and asks him to state the reason—setting up a diplomatic-ethical explanation in the lead-up to war.