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
aśvatthāmno vikarṇasya sañjayasya viviṁśateḥ | jñātīnāṁ caiva bhūyiṣṭhaṁ mitrāṇāṁ ca paraṁtapa ||
毗湿摩婆耶那说道：“正是这一条道路，在睿智的持国王看来，也既可亲又有利。噬敌者啊，这同样最令他的宗亲与友人欢喜：祖父毗湿摩、师长德罗那、胸怀高远的毗度罗、克利帕、苏摩达多、谨慎明达的婆诃利迦、阿湿婆他摩、毗迦尔那、三阇耶、毗毗ṃ湿底，以及其他许多人。”
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.