Shloka 11
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
ततः कथान्ते गोविन्दो गुडाकेशमुवाच ह । सान्त्वयन् शलक्ष्णया वाचा हेतुयुक्तमिदं वच:
tataḥ kathānte govindo guḍākeśam uvāca ha | sāntvayan śalakṣṇayā vācā hetuyuktam idaṁ vacaḥ ||
When the conversation had come to its close, Govinda addressed Gudākesha (Arjuna). Seeking to console him with gentle, well-chosen words, he spoke a statement grounded in sound reasoning—meant to steady Arjuna’s mind and guide him toward right understanding and conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical ideal of counsel: true guidance should be both compassionate (sāntvayan, śalakṣṇā vāk) and rational (hetuyuktam). In dharmic discourse, persuasion is not merely emotional comfort but reasoned instruction that stabilizes the listener and directs them toward right action.
As the preceding discussion concludes, Kṛṣṇa (Govinda) turns to Arjuna (Gudākesha) and begins speaking in a soothing, carefully chosen manner. The narrator signals that what follows is a logically argued reassurance—setting up Kṛṣṇa’s next counsel to Arjuna.