Shloka 87
कर्णनिधनवृत्तान्तनिवेदनम् | Reporting Karṇa’s Fall to Yudhiṣṭhira
वर्ध हायं पाण्डव धर्मराज- स्त्वत्तो<्युक्तं वेत्स्यते चैवमेष: | ततो<स्य पादावभिवाद्य पश्चात् सम॑ ब्रूया: सान्त्वयित्वा च पार्थम्,पाण्डुनन्दन! तुम्हारे द्वारा किये गये इस अनुचित शब्दके प्रयोगको सुनकर ये धर्मराज अपना वध हुआ ही समझेंगे। इसके बाद तुम इनके चरणोंमें प्रणाम करके इन्हें सान्त्वना देते हुए क्षमा माँग लेना और इनके प्रति न््यायोचित वचन बोलना
vardha hāyaṁ pāṇḍava dharmarājaḥ tvatto 'nyuktaṁ vetsyate caivam eṣaḥ | tato 'sya pādāv abhivādya paścāt samaṁ brūyāḥ sāntvayitvā ca pārtham, pāṇḍunandana |
Vāyu said: “O son of Pāṇḍu, if you utter such an improper word, Dharmarāja will take it as though he has already been slain. Therefore, afterward, bow at his feet; then, having soothed him, speak with fairness—ask his forgiveness and address him in words that accord with justice.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in crisis, one must restrain harsh or improper speech, especially toward the righteous and respected. If a wrong word is spoken, dharma requires humility—saluting, consoling, and seeking forgiveness—followed by balanced, just speech.
Vāyudeva instructs Arjuna about how to deal with Dharmarāja (Yudhiṣṭhira) after an inappropriate remark: Yudhiṣṭhira will feel mortally wounded by such words, so Arjuna should bow at his feet, console him, ask pardon, and then speak in a fair and dharmic manner.