Shloka 21
अश्वमेधीयस्य हयस्य दक्षिणापश्चिमगमनम् — The Sacrificial Horse’s Southern and Western Circuit
तां पूजयित्वा बीभत्सु: प्रसादमकरोत् प्रभु: । शकुनेश्चापि तनयं सान्त्वयन्निदमब्रवीत्
tāṁ pūjayitvā bībhatsuḥ prasādam akarot prabhuḥ | śakuneś cāpi tanayaṁ sāntvayann idam abravīt ||
Nachdem er sie mit gebührender Ehrfurcht geehrt hatte, erwies der mächtige Bībhatsu (Arjuna) ihr gnädige Huld. Dann tröstete er sogar den Sohn Śakunis und sprach diese Worte—und setzte damit im Nachhall des Krieges ein Zeichen von Selbstbeherrschung und Menschlichkeit.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after intense conflict, dharmic conduct includes honoring those deserving respect and extending consolation to the afflicted; strength is shown through restraint, grace (prasāda), and humane speech.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna respectfully honors a woman referred to as 'tām' and then comforts Śakuni’s son, preparing to speak further—indicating a shift from hostility to reconciliation and moral composure.