Shloka 17
कृष्ण-दूतविषये दुर्योधनस्य बन्धन-प्रस्तावः — Duryodhana’s Proposal to Detain Krishna
Envoy-Ethics Debate
पितासि राजन पुत्रास्ते वृद्धस्त्वं शिशव: परे | वर्तस्व पितृवत् तेषु वर्तन्ते ते हि पुत्रवत्,महाराज! आप पिता हैं और पाण्डव आपके पुत्र हैं। आप वृद्ध हैं और वे शिशु हैं। आप उनके प्रति पिताके समान स्नेहपूर्ण बर्ताव कीजिये। वे आपके प्रति सदा ही पुत्रोंकी भाँति श्रद्धा- भक्ति रखते हैं
pitāsi rājan putrās te vṛddhas tvaṁ śiśavaḥ pare | vartasva pitṛvat teṣu vartante te hi putravat ||
ମହାରାଜ! ଆପଣ ପିତା, ପାଣ୍ଡବମାନେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର। ଆପଣ ବୃଦ୍ଧ, ସେମାନେ ଶିଶୁସମ। ତେଣୁ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ପିତୃସ୍ନେହ ଓ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ସହିତ ବ୍ୟବହାର କରନ୍ତୁ; କାରଣ ସେମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ପୁତ୍ରସଦୃଶ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧା-ନିଷ୍ଠା ରଖନ୍ତି।
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
An elder—especially a king who stands in a fatherly position—must act with paternal care, fairness, and restraint toward younger dependents. When the younger party shows filial loyalty, the elder’s dharma is to reciprocate with protection and affection rather than suspicion or hostility.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Vidura counsels King Dhṛtarāṣṭra to treat the Pāṇḍavas as his own sons. He emphasizes the king’s seniority and their respectful attitude, urging a father-like approach to avert escalation and preserve family and kingdom.