Shloka 20
देवविमान-दर्शनम् / The Celestial Assembly and Vimana Spectacle
Bhīṣma–Arjuna Encounter Framed Cosmically
वनवासे हानिर्वत्ते दर्शयेन्न धनंजय: । धनं चालभमानोजत्र नाद्य तत् क्षन्तुमहति
vanavāse hānir vṛtte darśayen na dhanañjayaḥ | dhanaṃ cālabhamāno 'dya tad na kṣantum arhati ||
قال درونا: «ما دام أجل المنفى لم يكتمل، لم يكن دهننجايا (أرجونا) يستطيع أن يكشف عن نفسه. ولكن إن جاء اليوم إلى هنا ولم ينجح في استرداد ثروته (الماشية)، فلن يكون ملزمًا بأن يغفر لنا».
द्रोण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights accountability and the ethical weight of provoking a wronged hero: once the lawful term of concealment/exile is complete, Arjuna may act openly, and if his rightful property is denied, he is not obliged to pardon the offenders.
Droṇa assesses the situation during the Virāṭa episode: Arjuna could not reveal himself before the exile’s term ended, but now, if Arjuna comes seeking the seized cattle/wealth and is thwarted, the Kauravas should expect his uncompromising retaliation.