Shloka 19
Drupada’s Instruction to the Purohita for the Kaurava Embassy (द्रुपदोपदेशः दूतप्रेषणम्)
शिष्यै: परिवृतो विद्वान नीतिशास्त्रार्थकोविद: । पाण्डवानां हितार्थाय कौरवान् प्रति जग्मिवान्
śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto vidvān nītiśāstrārthakovidaḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ hitārthāya kauravān prati jagmivān ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：那位学者为弟子簇拥，精通治国之道与政略之理，为了般度族的利益，便向迦罗婆一方进发。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic use of learning: expertise in nīti (ethical policy) and artha (practical governance) should serve the welfare (hita) of others. It implies that wise counsel and diplomacy are legitimate, even necessary, tools to protect rightful interests and reduce destructive conflict.
A learned figure, accompanied by his disciples, departs toward the Kauravas’ side with the explicit aim of securing the Pāṇḍavas’ welfare. The scene signals a diplomatic or advisory mission during the Udyoga phase, when efforts are made to negotiate, counsel, and prepare amid rising tensions.