Shloka 18
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 30: Sañjaya’s Departure and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Commission of Greetings
शान्तिरेवं भवेद् राजनू् प्रीतिश्वैव परस्परम् | राज्यैकदेशमपि न: प्रयच्छ शममिच्छताम्
śāntir evaṁ bhaved rājan prītiś caiva parasparam | rājyaikadeśam api naḥ prayaccha śamam icchatām ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: “Ó Rei, assim a paz poderá ser assegurada e a boa vontade mútua preservada entre nós. Buscamos a conciliação; portanto, concede-nos ainda que seja apenas uma parte do reino, para que a harmonia prevaleça.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one has a strong claim, dharma favors restraint and reconciliation: preserving peace and mutual goodwill is worth accepting a minimal share, if it prevents destructive conflict.
In the pre-war negotiations, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses the Kuru king and urges a settlement: to maintain peace and mutual affection, he asks that the Pāṇḍavas be granted at least a small portion of the kingdom rather than forcing war.