Shloka 31
त॑ दृष्टवा चार्जुनोडगच्छद् वासुदेवस्य पृष्ठत: । एवं संचेष्टमानांस्तानितश्षैतक्ष भारत
taṁ dṛṣṭvā cārjuno ’dagacchad vāsudevasya pṛṣṭhataḥ | evaṁ saṁceṣṭamānāṁs tān itaś śaitakṣa bhārata ||
Seeing him thus, Arjuna moved and came to stand behind Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa). O Bhārata, while they were acting and shifting about in this manner, Śaunaka (Śaitakṣa) watched them from there—marking the tense, vigilant changes of position that attend grave counsel and the aftermath of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent alignment with righteous guidance: Arjuna positions himself behind Vāsudeva, suggesting trust in wise leadership and the ethical need for vigilance and restraint in the war’s aftermath.
Arjuna, after seeing a particular situation/person, moves to stand behind Kṛṣṇa. The narrator addresses Bhārata/Śaitakṣa, noting that the group is actively shifting and responding—indicating a tense, watchful moment within the unfolding events of Strī Parva.