Shloka 24
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
इति भ्रातृवच: श्रुत्वा न हन्मि त्वां नराधिप । उत्तिष्ठ न भयं ते$स्ति स्वस्तिमान् गच्छ पार्थिव,“नरेश्वर! भाईके इस वचनको सुनकर इसे शिरोधार्य करके मैं तुम्हें मार नहीं रहा हूँ। भूपाल! उठो, तुम्हें कोई भय नहीं है। तुम सकुशल अपने घरको लौट जाओ
iti bhrātṛvacaḥ śrutvā na hanmi tvāṁ narādhipa | uttiṣṭha na bhayaṁ te 'sti svastimān gaccha pārthiva ||
Hearing these words spoken by his brother, he said: “O king, I will not kill you. Rise—there is no fear for you. O ruler of the earth, go home in safety.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint: even when one has the power to kill a defeated opponent, ethical conduct—strengthened here by a brother’s counsel—can choose mercy, remove fear, and allow safe return. Victory is shown as complete not through slaughter but through self-control and protection of the fallen.
Vaiśampāyana reports a moment after a confrontation in which a king is addressed directly. Having heard his brother’s words, the speaker refuses to kill the king, commands him to rise, assures him of safety, and sends him back home unharmed.