Shloka 18
दुर्योधनस्य हास्तिनपुरप्रवेशः
Duryodhana’s Return toward Hastinapura; Karṇa’s Consolation
आरुरोह रथं शौरे: सत्यभामाथ भाविनी । स्मयित्वा तु यदुश्नेष्ठो द्रौषपदीं परिसान्त्व्य च | उपावर्त्य ततः शीघ्रै्हयै: प्रायात् पुरं स्वकम्,तदनन्तर भागमिनी सत्यभामा श्रीकृष्णके रथपर आरूढ़ हो गयी। यदुश्रेष्ठ श्रीकृष्णने मुसकराकर द्रौपदीको सान्त्वना दी और उसे लौटाकर शीघ्रगामी घोड़ोंद्वारा अपनी पुरी द्वारकाको प्रस्थान किया
āruroha rathaṃ śaureḥ satyabhāmātha bhāvinī | smayitvā tu yaduśreṣṭho drauṣpadīṃ parisāntvya ca || upāvartya tataḥ śīghrair hayaiḥ prāyāt puraṃ svakam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the virtuous Satyabhāmā mounted the chariot of Śauri (Kṛṣṇa). The best of the Yadus, smiling, consoled Draupadī and, after sending her back, departed swiftly with fast horses to his own city, Dvārakā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical leadership through calm reassurance: Kṛṣṇa smiles, consoles the distressed, restores them to steadiness, and then proceeds to his responsibilities. Compassion and duty are shown as complementary, not opposed.
Satyabhāmā boards Kṛṣṇa’s chariot. Kṛṣṇa comforts Draupadī and sends her back, then quickly departs with swift horses to his own city, Dvārakā.