Shloka 18
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 123 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa–Vidura Upadeśa to Duryodhana
Keśava-vākya aftermath
अश्रत्थाम्नो विकर्णस्य संजयस्य विविंशते: । ज्ञातीनां चैव भूयिष्ठं मित्राणां च परंतप,“यही परम बुद्धिमान् राजा धृतराष्ट्रको भी प्रिय एवं हितकर जान पड़ता है। परंतप! पितामह भीष्म, आचार्य द्रोण, महामति विदुर, कृपाचार्य, सोमदत्त, बुद्धिमान् बाह्नलीक, अश्वृत्थामा, विकर्ण, संजय, विविंशति तथा अन्यान्य कुट॒म्बीजनों एवं मित्रोंको भी यही अधिक प्रिय है
aśvatthāmno vikarṇasya sañjayasya viviṁśateḥ | jñātīnāṁ caiva bhūyiṣṭhaṁ mitrāṇāṁ ca paraṁtapa ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ang landas na ito mismo ang wari’y minamahal at kapaki-pakinabang kay Haring Dhṛtarāṣṭra—bagaman siya’y marunong. O tagasunog ng mga kaaway, ito rin ang lubhang nakalulugod sa kanyang mga kamag-anak at mga kaibigan: kay Lolong Bhīṣma, kay Ācārya Droṇa, kay Vidura na dakila ang pag-iisip, kay Kṛpa, kay Somadatta, kay Bāhlīka na maingat at matalino, kay Aśvatthāmā, kay Vikarṇa, kay Sañjaya, kay Viviṁśati, at sa marami pang iba.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how political decisions are often validated by the approval of influential elders, teachers, and close associates; it implicitly raises an ethical question central to the Udyoga Parva—whether what is ‘pleasing’ to one’s circle is truly ‘beneficial’ in terms of dharma.
Vaiśampāyana reports that a particular stance or plan is regarded as dear and advantageous not only by King Dhṛtarāṣṭra but also by leading figures among the Kauravas’ elders, counselors, relatives, and allies—naming prominent individuals to show broad support within the court.