Shloka 9
Śama-prāptiḥ — Gautamī–Lubdhaka–Pannaga–Mṛtyu–Kāla-saṃvāda
Restraint through the Analysis of Karma and Time
सो5हं तव हान्तकर: सुहृद्वधकरस्तथा । न शान्तिमधिगच्छामि पश्यंस्त्वां दुःखितं क्षितौ,मैं ही आपके जीवनका अन्त करनेवाला हूँ और मैं ही दूसरे-दूसरे सुहदोंका भी वध करनेवाला हूँ। आपको इस दुःखमयी दुरवस्थामें भूमिपर पड़ा देख मुझे शान्ति नहीं मिलती है
so 'haṃ tava hāntakaraḥ suhṛd-vadhakaraḥ tathā | na śāntim adhigacchāmi paśyaṃs tvāṃ duḥkhitaṃ kṣitau ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “I am the one who has brought about your death, and likewise the slayer of other dear friends as well. Seeing you lying on the earth in such misery, I find no peace.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical burden of violence: even when war is undertaken under the banner of duty, the agent may still experience profound remorse and a loss of inner peace upon witnessing the suffering caused—especially to elders and loved ones.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a grievously afflicted elder lying on the battlefield, confessing that he feels personally responsible for the death and slaughter of dear ones; the sight of the elder’s suffering leaves him unable to find peace.