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Shloka 14

Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 69: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Reverential Address to Sañjaya on Vāsudeva

अतत्त्वं कुरुते तत्त्व तेन मोहयते प्रजा:,वे अपनी सत्ता-स्फूर्ति देकर असत्यको भी सत्य-सा कर देते हैं और इस प्रकार सारी प्रजाको मोहमें डाल देते हैं

atattvaṁ kurute tattvaṁ tena mohayate prajāḥ |

وہ باطل کو بھی حق کی صورت دے دیتا ہے؛ اور اسی قوت سے رعایا کو فریب و حیرت میں ڈال دیتا ہے۔

अतत्त्वम्untruth, non-reality
अतत्त्वम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootअतत्त्व
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
कुरुतेmakes, does
कुरुते:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada
तत्त्वम्truth, reality
तत्त्वम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootतत्त्व
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
तेनby that, thereby
तेन:
Karana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
मोहयतेdeludes, confuses
मोहयते:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootमुह्
FormPresent, Third, Singular, Atmanepada, Causative
प्रजाःthe people, subjects
प्रजाः:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootप्रजा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Plural

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
P
prajāḥ (the people/subjects)

Educational Q&A

Falsehood can be made to look like truth when backed by power, prestige, or persuasive speech; such distortion creates moha (delusion) in society. The verse cautions that leaders bear special responsibility to protect truth, because their influence can normalize error.

Sañjaya, reporting and reflecting within the Udyoga Parva’s tense pre-war diplomacy, comments on how a figure’s authority can make the untrue seem true, thereby misleading the populace—an observation relevant to the moral and political confusion surrounding the impending conflict.