Shloka 20
Nārada’s Visit at Indraprastha and Counsel on Concord; Introduction to Sundopasunda–Tilottamā
एषा मम मतिस्तात निग्रहाय प्रवर्तते । साध्वी वा यदि वासाध्वी कि वा राधेय मन्यसे,पिताजी! शत्रुओंको वशमें करनेके लिये ये ही उपाय मेरी बुद्धिमें आते हैं; मेरा यह विचार भला है या बुरा, यह आप जानें। अथवा कर्ण! तुम्हारी क्या राय है?
eṣā mama matis tāta nigrahāya pravartate | sādhvī vā yadi vāsādhvī ki vā rādheya manyase ||
తండ్రీ! శత్రువులను అదుపులోకి తెచ్చేందుకు నా బుద్ధి ఈ యోచనపైనే నిలిచింది. ఇది ధర్మమా అధర్మమా—మీరు నిర్ణయించండి. లేదా రాధేయ (కర్ణా)! నీ అభిప్రాయం ఏమిటి?
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in political decision-making: a leader’s strategy to control opponents must be weighed as sādhvī (proper) or asādhvī (improper). It also shows the importance—and potential manipulation—of seeking validation from elders and influential allies.
Duryodhana presents his proposed course of action for subduing his rivals and asks his father (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) to judge whether it is right or wrong, then turns to Karna (addressed as Rādheya) for his opinion—seeking support for a plan aimed at dominating the opposing side.