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Shloka 23

अर्जुनकर्णयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्

Description of the Arjuna–Karṇa Engagement and Counsel to Duryodhana

तावभ्यनन्दत्‌ कौन्तेय: साम्ना परमवल्गुना | स्मितपूर्वममित्रघ्नं पूजयन्‌ भरतर्षभ

tāv abhyānandat kaunteyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | smitapūrvam amitraghnaṁ pūjayan bharatarṣabha ||

Sañjaya sprach: Da hieß Yudhiṣṭhira, Kuntīs Sohn, o Stier unter den Bhāratas, sie mit überaus süßen und beschwichtigenden Worten willkommen. Zuerst lächelte er, dann ehrte und pries er den Feindbezwinger—Kṛṣṇa (und Arjuna)—um ihren Mut zu stärken und die Eintracht der Sache des Dharma unter dem Druck des Krieges zu wahren.

तौthose two (them)
तौ:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Dual
अभ्यनन्दत्welcomed / greeted
अभ्यनन्दत्:
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-नन्द्
FormImperfect, 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
कौन्तेयःthe son of Kuntī (Yudhiṣṭhira)
कौन्तेयः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootकौन्तेय
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
साम्नाwith a conciliatory word / with gentle speech
साम्ना:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootसामन्
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
परमवल्गुनाwith exceedingly sweet (speech)
परमवल्गुना:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootपरम-वल्गु
FormNeuter, Instrumental, Singular
स्मितपूर्वम्with a smile first / smilingly
स्मितपूर्वम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootस्मित-पूर्व
अमित्रघ्नम्enemy-slayer (Arjuna)
अमित्रघ्नम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootअमित्रघ्न
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
पूजयन्honouring / praising
पूजयन्:
TypeVerb
Rootपूज्
Formशतृ (present active participle), Masculine, Nominative, Singular
भरतर्षभO bull among the Bharatas
भरतर्षभ:
TypeNoun
Rootभरत-ऋषभ
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
Y
Yudhiṣṭhira (Kaunteya)
K
Kṛṣṇa (Amitraghna)
A
Arjuna
D
Dhṛtarāṣṭra (implied addressee: Bharatarṣabha)

Educational Q&A

Even in the midst of conflict, righteous leadership values restraint, respectful speech, and encouragement of allies. Yudhiṣṭhira’s sweet, conciliatory words model dharmic conduct: strengthening unity and morale without arrogance or harshness.

Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, smiling, welcomes and honors Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, praising them with very gentle and pleasing words—an act of affirmation and reconciliation within the Pandava camp during the war’s tense developments.