Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 77
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 71 — Kṣatra-dharma Counsel, Public Legitimacy, and Mobilization
ईदृशे>त्यर्थकृच्छे5स्मिन् कमन्यं मधुसूदन । उपसम्प्रष्टमर्हामि त्वामृते पुरुषोत्तम
īdṛśe 'tyarthakṛcchre 'smin kaman yaṁ madhusūdana | upasamprasṭum arhāmi tvām ṛte puruṣottama ||
Sinabi ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Sa ganitong sukdulang krisis, O Madhusūdana, kanino pa ba ako nararapat lumapit at magtanong—maliban sa iyo, O Puruṣottama? Kapag natatakpan ang dharma at mapanganib ang landas sa unahan, ikaw lamang ang karapat-dapat na sangguniin.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
When dharma becomes difficult to discern in an extreme crisis, one should seek guidance from the most trustworthy and spiritually authoritative counselor. The verse highlights humility, discernment in choosing an advisor, and reliance on righteous wisdom rather than impulsive action.
In the Udyoga Parva’s tense pre-war setting, Yudhiṣṭhira turns to Kṛṣṇa for counsel. Facing an acute dilemma and uncertainty about the right course, he declares that no one else is as worthy to be consulted as Kṛṣṇa.