Shloka 25
भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
एवं श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य कारुण्याद् बहुविस्तरम् । प्रत्युवाच तत: कृष्ण: सान्त्वयानो युधिष्ठिरम्
evaṁ śrutvā vacas tasya kāruṇyād bahuvistaram | pratyuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sāntvayāno yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Having heard Yudhiṣṭhira’s words—spoken out of compassion and set forth at length—Kṛṣṇa then replied, offering him consolation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between compassion and the harsh necessities of a righteous war: Yudhiṣṭhira’s pity-filled, detailed lament prompts Kṛṣṇa to respond with consolation, implying that moral clarity and steadiness must accompany compassion in moments of duty.
Sañjaya reports that after hearing Yudhiṣṭhira’s long, compassion-driven speech, Kṛṣṇa begins his reply, specifically in the mode of comforting and steadying Yudhiṣṭhira amid the unfolding conflict.