Udyoga Parva

The Udyoga Parva (Sanskrit: उद्योग पर्वः) ("Book of Effort") is the fifth of the eighteen parvas (books) of the Indian epic Mahabharata. Udyoga Parva traditionally has 10 parts and 199 chapters. The critical edition of Sabha Parva has 12 parts and 197 chapters.

Udyoga Parva describes the period immediately after the exile of Pandavas had ended. The Pandavas return, demand their half of the kingdom. The Kauravas refuse. The book includes the effort for peace that fails, followed by the effort to prepare for the great war—the Kurukshetra War.

Vidura Niti, a theory of leadership as propounded by Vidura, is embedded in Udyoga Parva (Chapters 33–40). The Sanatsujatiya, a text commented upon by Adi Shankara, is contained within the Udyoga Parva (Chapters 41–46).

The Udyoga Parva traditionally has 10 upa-parvas (parts, little books) and 199 adhyayas (chapters).

The 13th year of exile is over. Kings assemble in king Virata's court to mark the marriage of his daughter to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. Krishna tells the gathered kings that the Pandavas must return to their kingdom ad that the Kauravas must return the kingdom that they had taken from the Pandavas for 13 years after a game of dice. Krishna speculates that the Kauravas may refuse the return and use their military Yudhishthira personally visits and makes the demand, or he may be willing to make a peaceful transfer.^[clarify] The intentions of the other side are unknown, so Krishna suggests that they should send a capable ambassador to understand the intentions of the Kauravas and arrange a peaceful transfer.

Satyaki reminds the gathered kings that the Kauravas acquired the kingdom through trickery and evil actions, and that evil people do not change. Satyaki claims that the proposed peaceful diplomatic approach is ridiculous because peace can never be negotiated from a position of weakness. Only the strong—who have the power and means to destroy their opponent—get a fair and just deal during peace negotiations. Satyaki recommends that the Pandavas establish a visibly strong army and slay all of their opponents. Drupada suggests despatching envoys to other virtuous and good kingdoms to build a military alliance for the Pandavas. Krishna approves. Envoys spread out. The kings and Krishna return to their homes. In parallel, Duryodhana, on learning the Pandavas' intentions, started building their alliances for war to weaken the Pandavas to a point that they do not even ask for to get their kingdom back. Both the Pandavas and Kauravas meet Krishna in Dwaraka for their military preparations, but with morally opposite stances. Krishna asks Arjuna to choose either his army or he himself alone, resolved not to fight on the field. Arjuna chooses Krishna on his side. Duryodhana, in contrast, gets Krishna's army to serve him. Krishna decides and promises to drive Arjuna's chariot if war becomes necessary. Duryodhana then went to the son of Rohini of great strength, and approaching him, explained to him his reasons. Balarama refused to take part in battle, as his affection is for both sides. Both sides gather a massive alliance of armies, with the Pandavas having seven units of troops and Kauravas having eleven units, the Kauravas have a larger army. Upon being serviced and asked by Duryodhana as a boon, Shalya joins the Kauravas' side and subsequently meets Yudhishthira. After learning that Shalya was tricked, Yudhishthira asked Karna to choose him to be his charioteer during the war in the future, and compared his riding skills to Krishna. For their good, and the protection of Arjuna, he must despirit Karna by recounting the praises of Arjuna so that victory can be achieved. Shalya promised him that he will speak to him in war in such contradictory words that will bereft him of pride and valour, and will be easily slain by an antagonist. Yudhishthira convinces Shalya that the Kauravas are in error. Shalya agrees to explain Yudhishthira's position to Duryodhana. Shalya leaves the Pandavas' camp to meet the Kaurava brothers.

Drupada's envoy reaches Kaurava brothers. He announces that Pandava brothers do not want war, they see war as something that ruins the world, all they want is an amicable settlement. He also informs the Dhritarashtra and Kuru family, that Yudhishthira seeks peace not out of weakness; they have seven Akshauhinis (large battalions). Drupada's envoy asks that Kaurava brothers give virtue and peace a chance, they give back that which should be returned. Bhishma responds that peace makes sense, but Karna on hearing Pandavas praises by that envoy in the court of Kaurava brothers, argues that Pandavas had become prideful of their might, so war is preferable. Dhritarashtra dismisses Drupada's envoy, promising to send Sanjaya to the Pandavas with a full response.

Dhritarashtra summons Sanjaya and asks him to meet the Pandava brothers, but does not propose anything concrete about the peaceful transfer of the kingdom. Sanjaya meets Yudhishthira and urges peace, saying that the war will cause losses to both sides and notes that if the Pandavas kill the Kauravas, it will make them miserable in victory. Yudhishthira says the Pandavas do not want war, they want peace and prosperity. The Pandavas had left their kingdom, Indraprastha, during the exile, and Dhritarashtra must return the kingdom to him to make peace. Yudhishthira suggests to Sanjaya, in Chapter 31 of the parva, that he would accept a smaller kingdom if that would prevent war, further peace. Yudhisthira claims that the Pandavas are ready for peace and for war. Sanjaya returns to Dhritarashtra and urges him to take the path of peace, and in a brutally directly manner, refers to Dhritarashtra's approach towards the Pandavas as sinful, suicidal and wrong.