Shloka 17
विदुरस्य कृष्णं प्रति शमोपदेशः
Vidura’s Counsel to Krishna on the Limits of Peace
अलघूकृतमग्रस्तमनिरस्तमसंकुलम् । राजीवनेत्रो राजानं हेतुमद् वाक्यमुत्तमम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | alaghūkṛtam agrastam anirastam asaṅkulam | rājīvanetro rājānaṃ hetumad vākyam uttamam |
தாமரைநயனான கிருஷ்ணன் அரசனிடம் உயர்ந்த, காரணமுள்ள சொற்களை உரைத்தான்—அவை இழிவாக்கப்படாதவை, குறைவற்றவை, விலக்கப்படாதவை, குழப்பமற்றவை.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical persuasion should be reasoned (hetumat), clear, and free from both contempt and self-abasement. The verse praises speech that is purposeful, lucid, and disciplined—qualities essential for dharmic counsel in political crisis.
After being questioned, Kṛṣṇa begins his reply to King Duryodhana. The narrator highlights the gravity and excellence of Kṛṣṇa’s forthcoming counsel by describing the tone (deep like a rain-cloud) and the virtues of his speech (clear, coherent, and well-reasoned).