Shloka 23
अर्जुनकर्णयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Arjuna–Karṇa Engagement and Counsel to Duryodhana
तावभ्यनन्दत् कौन्तेय: साम्ना परमवल्गुना | स्मितपूर्वममित्रघ्नं पूजयन् भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ) यही सोचकर कुन्तीकुमार युधिष्ठिरने मुसकराकर शत्रुसूदन श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनकी प्रशंसा करते हुए परम मधुर और सान्त्वनापूर्ण वचनोंद्वारा उन दोनोंका अभिनन्दन किया
tāv abhyānandat kaunteyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | smitapūrvam amitraghnaṁ pūjayan bharatarṣabha ||
Sañjaya said: Then Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira, O bull among the Bharatas, welcomed them with exceedingly sweet and conciliatory words. Smiling first, he honored and praised the foe-slayer—Kṛṣṇa (and Arjuna)—seeking to strengthen their resolve and uphold harmony within the righteous cause amid the pressures of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, righteous leadership values restraint, respectful speech, and encouragement of allies. Yudhiṣṭhira’s sweet, conciliatory words model dharmic conduct: strengthening unity and morale without arrogance or harshness.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, smiling, welcomes and honors Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, praising them with very gentle and pleasing words—an act of affirmation and reconciliation within the Pandava camp during the war’s tense developments.