Shloka 24
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
इति भ्रातृवच: श्रुत्वा न हन्मि त्वां नराधिप । उत्तिष्ठ न भयं ते$स्ति स्वस्तिमान् गच्छ पार्थिव
iti bhrātṛvacaḥ śrutvā na hanmi tvāṁ narādhipa | uttiṣṭha na bhayaṁ te 'sti svastimān gaccha pārthiva ||
ভ্রাতার এই বাক্য শুনে সে বলল—“নরাধিপ! ভ্রাতার বাক্য শিরোধার্য করে আমি তোমাকে বধ করব না। ওঠো; তোমার কোনো ভয় নেই। পৃথিবীপাল! নিরাপদে গৃহে ফিরে যাও।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint: even when one has the power to kill a defeated opponent, ethical conduct—strengthened here by a brother’s counsel—can choose mercy, remove fear, and allow safe return. Victory is shown as complete not through slaughter but through self-control and protection of the fallen.
Vaiśampāyana reports a moment after a confrontation in which a king is addressed directly. Having heard his brother’s words, the speaker refuses to kill the king, commands him to rise, assures him of safety, and sends him back home unharmed.