Mahabharata 9.5.16 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 5, Shloka 16
शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
धृष्टद्युम्न: शिखण्डी च कृतवैरा मया सह । तौ कथं मद्िते यत्नं कुर्यातां द्विजसत्तम
dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca kṛtavairā mayā saha | tau kathaṁ madite yatnaṁ kuryātāṁ dvijasattama ||
Sañjaya berkata: “Dhṛṣṭadyumna dan Śikhaṇḍin juga telah bersumpah memusuhi aku. Maka bagaimana mungkin kedua-duanya berusaha demi kesejahteraanku, wahai Brahmana yang paling mulia?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a practical-ethical principle of counsel in conflict: those bound by declared hostility are unlikely to act for one’s welfare. It cautions against misplaced trust and urges discernment about motives during war and political crisis.
In the Shalya Parva context, the speaker points out that Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Śikhaṇḍin are established enemies; therefore, it would be unreasonable to expect them to make efforts for his benefit. The line functions as a skeptical response within wartime deliberation.
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