Shloka 5
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
किंतु सर्वापराधो<5यं यदि तेड्द्य धनंजय: । क्षमस्व याच्यमाना वै जीवयस्व धनंजयम्
kintu sarvāparādho 'yaṁ yadi te 'dya dhanañjayaḥ | kṣamasva yācyamānā vai jīvayasva dhanañjayam ||
কিন্তু যদি এই ধনঞ্জয় (অর্জুন) সর্বতোভাবে তোমার অপরাধীও হয়, তবু আজ তাকে ক্ষমা করো। আমি তার প্রাণভিক্ষা চাই—ধনঞ্জয়কে জীবিত রাখো।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates kṣamā (forgiveness) as a dharmic response even when the other party seems wholly at fault, emphasizing mercy and the preservation of life over anger and punishment.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana) conveys an urgent supplication to forgive Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) and to spare his life, framing the moment as a decisive ethical choice between vengeance and compassion.