Adhyaya 32: Saṃjaya’s Return, Audience with Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and Ethical Admonition
क्षमा वशीकृतिलेोंके क्षमया कि न साध्यते । शान्तिखड्ग: करे यस्य कि करिष्यति दुर्जन:,इस जगत्में क्षमा वशीकरणरूप है। भला, क्षमासे क्या नहीं सिद्ध होता? जिसके हाथमें शान्तिरूपी तलवार है, उसका दुष्ट पुरुष क्या कर लेंगे?
kṣamā vaśīkṛtir loke kṣamayā kiṁ na sādhyate | śānti-khaḍgaḥ kare yasya kiṁ kariṣyati durjanaḥ ||
วิทุระกล่าวว่า “ในโลกนี้ การให้อภัยคืออำนาจที่ชนะใจผู้คน; มีสิ่งใดเล่าที่ไม่สำเร็จด้วยการให้อภัย? ผู้ใดถือดาบแห่งสันติไว้ในมือ คนพาลจะทำอันใดแก่เขาได้?”
विदुर उवाच
Forgiveness (kṣamā) is presented as a superior moral force: it wins people over, accomplishes difficult aims, and protects the practitioner. Inner peace functions like a ‘sword’—a decisive strength that leaves malice powerless.
In the Udyoga Parva’s counsel-filled setting, Vidura instructs on statecraft and right conduct as tensions move toward war. Here he urges the cultivation of forgiveness and peace as the most effective response to hostility and wickedness.