Shloka 17
धृतराष्ट्रस्य वंशोपदेशः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Dynastic Counsel on Legitimate Rule
वायुदेव उवाच एवमुक्ते महाराज द्रोणेनामिततेजसा । व्याजहार ततो वाक््यं विदुर: सत्यसड्भर: । पितुर्वदनमन्वीक्ष्य परिवृत्य च धर्मवित्,भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण कहते हैं--महाराज! अमित-तेजस्वी द्रोणाचार्यके इस प्रकार कहनेपर सत्यप्रतिज्ञ धर्मज्ञ विदुरने ज्येष्ठ पिता भीष्मकी ओर घूमकर उनके मुँहकी ओर देखते हुए इस प्रकार कहा
vāyudeva uvāca | evam ukte mahārāja droṇenāmitatejasā | vyājahāra tato vākyaṃ viduraḥ satyasaṅdharaḥ | pitur vadanaṃ anvīkṣya parivṛtya ca dharmavit |
वायुदेव उवाच— एवमुक्ते महाराज द्रोणेनामिततेजसा। व्याजहार ततो वाक्यं विदुरः सत्यसङ्गरः॥ पितामहं भीष्मं प्रति परिवृत्य धर्मवित्, तस्य वदनमन्वीक्ष्य यथाधर्मं यथासत्यं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic speech: truthful counsel (satya) offered with discernment (dharmavit) and due regard for elders (turning to Bhīṣma). It frames ethical deliberation as attentive, respectful, and anchored in integrity.
After Droṇācārya has spoken, Vidura begins his reply. He physically turns toward the senior authority Bhīṣma, studies his expression, and then addresses the gathering—signaling that his forthcoming words are meant as principled guidance within the tense political debate.