Shloka 18
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
कृतार्था भुज्जते दूता: पूजां गृह्नन्ति चैव ह । कृतार्थ मां सहामात्यं समर्चिष्यसि भारत
kṛtārthā bhuñjate dūtāḥ pūjāṃ gṛhṇanti caiva ha | kṛtārthaṃ māṃ sahāmātyaṃ samarcayiṣyasi bhārata ||
ヴァイシャṃパーヤナは言った。「使者は使命を果たしてのちにのみ、食と栄誉を受ける――それが定めである。ゆえに、バラタよ、我が目的が成就したなら、そのときこそ我と我が臣たちを、しかるべく敬いもてなすがよい。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse states a norm of diplomatic ethics: an envoy should not accept hospitality or honors until the assigned mission is successfully completed, emphasizing integrity, restraint, and prioritizing duty over personal comfort.
Vaiśaṃpāyana reports a statement about proper treatment of an envoy: the addressee (a Bhārata/Kuru prince) is asked to postpone formal honoring of the speaker and his ministers until the envoy’s objective has been achieved.