Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 9
कृष्णेन विदुरं प्रति आगमन-हेतु-निवेदनम् / Krishna explains the purpose of his coming to Vidura
सेनासमुदयं कृत्वा पार्थिवं मधुसूदन । कृतार्थ मन््यते बाल आत्मानमविचक्षण:
senāsamudayaṃ kṛtvā pārthivaṃ madhusūdana | kṛtārthaṃ manyate bāla ātmānam avicakṣaṇaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Wahai Madhusūdana, setelah menghimpunkan bala tentera raja-raja menjadi satu angkatan besar, seorang yang kebudak-budakan dan tidak berakal menyangka dirinya telah mencapai maksudnya.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External power—such as assembling a vast army—can create a false sense of accomplishment. The verse warns that immature, undiscerning judgment mistakes mere capacity for violence or dominance as true success, ignoring dharmic consequences and deeper aims.
In the Udyoga Parva’s build-up to the Kurukṣetra war, the narration highlights how rulers, after gathering forces, may feel their objectives are already secured. Vaiśaṃpāyana addresses Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana), framing this as a critique of shortsighted confidence during the mobilization of armies.