Shloka 5
Ulūka’s Provocation and Keśava’s Counter-Message (उलूकदूत्ये केशवप्रत्युत्तरम्)
सम्भाषित्वा च कर्ण क्रात्रा द:ःशासनेन च । सौबलेन च राजेन्द्र मन्त्रयित्वा नरर्षभ
sambhāṣitvā ca karṇa krātrā duḥśāsanena ca | saubalena ca rājendra mantrayitvā nararṣabha
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Matapos makipag-usap kay Karṇa, kay Kṛpa, kay Duḥśāsana, at gayundin kay Śakuni na anak ni Subala, O pinakamainam sa mga tao, ang hari (Duryodhana) ay nagtipon upang sumangguni—tinawag ang kanyang pangunahing mga kapanalig upang pag-usapan ang landas na huhubog sa nalalapit na tunggalian at sa mga kahihinatnang pang-dharma nito.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pivotal decisions are shaped by one’s chosen advisers: counsel taken from those driven by ambition and hostility can steer a ruler toward adharma and war, whereas ethical discernment requires seeking guidance aligned with righteousness.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Kaurava leadership—Karna, Kripa, Duḥśāsana, and Śakuni—have been consulted, indicating strategic deliberation within Duryodhana’s camp as tensions move toward open conflict.