Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 2
Duryodhana’s Post-Duel Lament and Instructions (भग्नसक्थस्य विलापः)
यदा पूर्व गत: कृष्ण: शमार्थ कौरवान् प्रति । न चतं लब्धवान् कामं॑ ततो युद्धमभूदिदम्
yadā pūrva-gataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śamārthaṃ kauravān prati | na ca taṃ labdhavān kāmaṃ tato yuddham abhūd idam ||
पूर्वी श्रीकृष्ण संधीसाठी कौरवांकडे गेले होते; परंतु त्यांना अभिप्रेत कार्य साध्य झाले नाही; म्हणूनच हे युद्ध उद्भवले।
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical priority of seeking peace first; when sincere reconciliation fails due to refusal or obstinacy, war becomes the consequent reality, underscoring responsibility and causality in dharmic decision-making.
Janamejaya recalls Kṛṣṇa’s earlier attempt to negotiate peace with the Kauravas; because Kṛṣṇa’s intended aim was not achieved, the situation escalated and culminated in the present war.