Shloka 17
अध्याय १२२ — कृष्णस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Kṛṣṇa’s Ethical Counsel to Duryodhana
नावमान्यास्त्वया राजन्नधमोत्कृष्टम ध्यमा: । न हि मानप्रदग्धानां कश्चिदस्ति शम: क्वचित्
nāvamānyās tvayā rājann adhamotkṛṣṭa-madhyamāḥ | na hi māna-pradagdḥānāṃ kaścid asti śamaḥ kvacit ||
ହେ ରାଜନ୍! ଅଧମ, ଉତ୍ତମ ଓ ମଧ୍ୟମ—କୌଣସି ଶ୍ରେଣୀର ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ତୁମେ ଅବମାନ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍ ନୁହେଁ। କାରଣ ମାନ-ଅଭିମାନର ଅଗ୍ନିରେ ଦଗ୍ଧ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଦାହକୁ ଶାନ୍ତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ କେଉଁଠି ମଧ୍ୟ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ଉପାୟ ନାହିଁ।
पितामह् उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should avoid contempt toward anyone—whether low, high, or middle—because wounded pride is hard to soothe; disrespect inflames ego and makes reconciliation difficult.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-setting, Bhīṣma addresses the king with practical dharma: he warns that insulting people across social ranks provokes pride and resentment, undermining peace and wise governance.