Shloka 15
तमब्रवीद् वासुदेव: किमिदं पाण्डुनन्दन । वार्यमाणो5पि कौन्तेय यद् युद्धान्न निवर्तसे
tam abravīd vāsudevaḥ kim idaṃ pāṇḍunandana | vāryamāṇo 'pi kaunteya yad yuddhān na nivartase ||
Sañjaya said: Vāsudeva addressed him, “What is this, O joy of the Pāṇḍus? O son of Kuntī, even though you are being restrained and urged to desist, why do you not turn back from the battle?”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral pressure-point of war: when urged to desist, a warrior’s persistence must be examined. It invites reflection on whether steadfastness arises from righteous duty (dharma) or from stubbornness, anger, or attachment—thus making intention and discernment central to ethical action.
Sañjaya reports that Vāsudeva speaks to a Pāṇḍava addressed as Pāṇḍunandana/Kaunteya, questioning why he refuses to withdraw from battle despite being restrained and advised otherwise. The scene frames a moment of counsel amid the ongoing conflict.