Shloka 2
Śoka-śamana: Kṛṣṇa’s Consolation and Nārada’s Exempla to Sṛñjaya
Chapter 29
अर्जुन उवाच ज्ञातिशोकाभिसंतप्तो धर्मपुत्र: परंतप: । एष शोकार्णवे मग्नस्तमाश्वासय माधव
arjuna uvāca jñātiśokābhisaṃtapto dharmaputraḥ paraṃtapaḥ | eṣa śokārṇave magnas tam āśvāsaya mādhava ||
Arjuna said: “Dharma’s son, the scorcher of foes, is tormented by grief for his kinsmen. He has sunk into an ocean of sorrow—O Mādhava, comfort and console him.”
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the ethical duty of compassionate counsel: even a righteous king may be overwhelmed by remorse and grief after violence, and it becomes the responsibility of trusted companions—especially wise guides—to steady him, restore clarity, and help him return to dharma-guided action.
After the devastating war, Yudhiṣṭhira (Dharmaputra) is consumed by sorrow over the death of his relatives. Arjuna addresses Kṛṣṇa (Mādhava), urging him to console Yudhiṣṭhira, who is described as having sunk into an ocean of grief.