Shloka 24
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
तद् भीष्मवाक्यं हितमीक्ष्य सर्वे धनंजयाग्निं च विवर्धमानम् | निवर्तनायैव मनो निदध्यु- दुर्योधनं ते परिरक्षमाणा:
tad bhīṣmavākyaṃ hitam īkṣya sarve dhanañjayāgniṃ ca vivardhamānam | nivartanāyaiva mano nidadhyur duryodhanaṃ te parirakṣamāṇāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Da alle Bhīṣmas Rat als heilsam erkannten und einsahen, dass das Feuer Dhanañjayas (Arjunas) nur umso wilder lodern würde, wenn man die Schlacht erzwinge, richteten sie ihren Sinn allein auf den Rückzug. Duryodhana schützend, beschlossen sie umzukehren und in ihr eigenes Land zurückzukehren — und wählten Klugheit statt eines Krieges, der nur die Vernichtung entfachen würde.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Heeding wise counsel and choosing restraint can be more dharmic and beneficial than escalating conflict—especially when the opponent’s strength will only intensify if provoked.
After Bhīṣma’s advice, the assembled warriors realize that fighting Arjuna would only make his martial ‘fire’ blaze more fiercely; therefore, while safeguarding Duryodhana, they decide to withdraw and return home.