Shloka 43
यस्कृते बान्धवा: सर्वे मया नीता यमक्षयम् | इत्युक्त्वा बहु सान्त्वादिप्रसादमकरोज्जय:,'उस क्षात्र-धर्मको धिक्कार है, जिसके लिये मैंने अपने सारे बान्धवजनोंको यमलोक पहुँचा दिया।” ऐसा कहकर अर्जुनने दुःशलाको बहुत सान्त्वाना दी और उसके प्रति अपने कृपाप्रसादका परिचय दिया। फिर प्रसन्नतापूर्वक उससे गले मिलकर उसे घरकी ओर विदा किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
yas-kṛte bāndhavāḥ sarve mayā nītā yamākṣayam |
ity uktvā bahu sāntvādiprasādam akaroj jayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Cursed be that kṣatriya-duty for whose sake I have sent all my kinsmen to Yama’s realm.” Having spoken thus, Arjuna (the conqueror) offered Duḥśalā abundant consolation and gracious kindness, revealing his compassionate favor toward her; then, pleased, he embraced her and sent her back toward her home.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension within kṣatriya-dharma: even when actions are sanctioned as ‘duty’ in war, the agent may feel profound remorse for the destruction of kin. It also affirms a dharmic response after violence—compassion, consolation, and restoring human bonds where possible.
Arjuna laments that the warrior code has led him to the death of his relatives, then he consoles Duḥśalā with kind words and gracious conduct. He embraces her and respectfully sends her back home, signaling reconciliation and care after the devastation of the Kurukṣetra war.