Shloka 23
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Dhṛtarāṣṭra on Restraining Duryodhana (व्यास-धृतराष्ट्र-उपदेशः)
यदि पार्थिव कौरव्याज्जीवमानानिहेच्छसि । दुर्योधनस्तव सुत: शमं गच्छतु पाण्डवै:,राजन! यदि तुम चाहते हो कि समस्त कौरव यहाँ जीवित रहें तो तुम्हारा पुत्र दुर्योधन पाण्डवोंसे मेल करके शान्तिपूर्वक रहे
yadi pārthiva kauravyāj jīvamānān ihecchasi | duryodhanas tava sutaḥ śamaṃ gacchatu pāṇḍavaiḥ ||
Vyāsa disse: «Ó rei, se verdadeiramente desejas que os Kauravas aqui permaneçam vivos, então que teu filho Duryodhana siga para a paz—que se reconcilie com os Pāṇḍavas.»
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that the preservation of life and the welfare of a kingdom depend on choosing śama—peace and restraint—over pride and aggression; reconciliation with rightful kin is presented as the ethical path.
Vyāsa addresses the king with urgent counsel: if he wants the Kauravas to survive the looming conflict, he must ensure that Duryodhana abandons hostility and makes peace with the Pāṇḍavas.