Mahabharata 3.21.9 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 21, Shloka 9
Dvārakā’s Distress and the Saubha Engagement (द्वारकाव्यग्रता तथा सौभयुद्धम्)
अभीषु हस्तं त॑ं दृष्टवा सीदन्तं सारथिं रणे | अस्तम्भयं महाबाहो शाल्वबाणप्रपीडितम्,महाबाहो! उस युद्धमें हाथमें बागडोर लिये सारथिको शाल्वके बाणोंसे पीड़ित होकर वष्ट पाते देख मैंने उसे ढाढ़स बँधाया
abhīṣu-hastaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā sīdantaṁ sārathiṁ raṇe | astambhayaṁ mahābāho śālva-bāṇa-prapīḍitam ||
قال فايُو: «لمّا رأيتُ ذلك السائق في ساحة القتال—ويده ما تزال قابضةً على الزمام—وقد خارت عزيمته وسحقته سهامُ شالڤا، ثبّتُّه ورددتُ إليه شجاعته، يا عظيمَ الذراعين. ففي قلب الحرب، إن إسنادَ عزمِ الرفيق هو نفسه فعلٌ من أفعال الدارما؛ إذ لا يثبت العَجَل ولا قضيّتُه إذا فقد الدليلُ قلبَه.»
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violence and fear, dharma includes sustaining the morale and steadiness of those who bear responsibility. Encouraging a faltering ally—especially one essential to right action—can be a decisive ethical act.
Vāyu describes witnessing a charioteer in battle who, though still holding the reins, is overwhelmed and afflicted by Śālva’s arrows. Vāyu intervenes to steady and encourage him so the chariot’s mission can continue.
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