Shloka 23
Dambhodbhava, Nara-Nārāyaṇa, and the Counsel to Abandon Hubris
Udyoga-parva 94
तस्य ते पृथिवीपालास्त्वत्समा: पृथिवीपते । श्रेयांसश्षैव राजान: संधास्यन्ते परंतप,शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले भूपाल! उस दशामें जो राजा आपके समान या आपसे बड़े हैं, वे भी आपके साथ संधि कर लेंगे
tasya te pṛthivīpālāstvatsamāḥ pṛthivīpate | śreyāṃsaś caiva rājānaḥ saṃdhāsyante paraṃtapa ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ഹേ പൃഥ്വീപതേ, പരന്തപാ! അപ്പോൾ നിനക്കു തുല്യരായ രാജാക്കന്മാരും, നിനക്കു മേലായ രാജാക്കന്മാരും പോലും നിനക്കൊപ്പം സന്ധി ചെയ്യും.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a principle of political ethics (rājadharma): even powerful or superior kings may choose saṃdhi (treaty/accord) when it preserves stability and serves a strategic, orderly outcome; strength is shown not only in battle but also in timely conciliation.
Vaiśampāyana addresses a king, assuring him that in the prevailing circumstances other rulers—those equal to him and even those greater—will also align with him by making a treaty, implying growing support through diplomacy rather than immediate conflict.