Mahabharata 1.204.27 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 204, Shloka 27
Tilottamā, Sunda–Upasunda, and the Pāṇḍava Samaya (Ādi Parva 204)
यच्च साम्नैव शक्येत कार्य साधयितुं नूप । को दैवशप्तस्तत् कार्य विग्रहेण समाचरेत्
yacca sāmnaiva śakyeta kārya sādhayituṃ nūpa | ko daivaśaptas tat kārya vigraheṇa samācaret mahārāja ||
விதுரர் கூறினார்—மகாராஜா! சமாதானம், அமைதியான அறிவுரை, சமரசம் ஆகியவற்றால் மட்டுமே நிறைவேற்ற இயலும் காரியத்தை, விதியால் சபிக்கப்பட்டவன் யார் சண்டை-மோதலால் நிறைவேற்ற முயல்வான்?
विदुर उवाच
Educational Q&A
When an aim can be achieved through sāman—peaceful counsel and conciliation—choosing vigraha (conflict) is ethically wrong and indicates delusion or misfortune. A ruler’s dharma prioritizes preserving life and social order by using the least harmful means.
Vidura is advising the king, urging him to prefer diplomatic persuasion over confrontation. He frames needless resort to conflict as a sign of being ‘daivaśapta’—as if fate-struck—thereby warning against escalating disputes into war.
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