Shloka 17
तदनन्तर शत्रुवीरोंका नाश करनेवाले महारथी और महापराक्रमी कुन्तीपुत्र महाबाहु अर्जुन हर्षोल्लासमें भर गये और आचार्य द्रोणके रथसे अपना रथ भिड़ाकर उन्हें प्रणाम करके हँसते हुए-से शान्तिपूर्वक मधुर वाणीमें यों बोले---
tadanantaraṃ śatruvīrāṇāṃ nāśaṃ karṇevāle mahārathī ca mahāparākramī kuntīputro mahābāhur arjunaḥ harṣollāseṇa bharitābhavat; ācāryadroṇasya rathena svakaṃ rathaṃ saṃghaṭya taṃ praṇamya hasann iva śāntipūrvakaṃ madhurayā vāṇyā evaṃ uvāca—
Thereafter, Arjuna—the mighty-armed son of Kuntī, a great chariot-warrior of immense prowess and a destroyer of hostile champions—was filled with exhilaration. Drawing his own chariot close to the chariot of his teacher Droṇa, he bowed in reverence; then, as if smiling, he addressed him calmly and in a gentle, sweet voice. The scene underscores a warrior’s discipline: even amid impending conflict, Arjuna maintains respect for his preceptor and restraint in speech, holding to the ethical decorum of kṣatriya conduct.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a martial setting, dharma requires composure, respectful conduct toward elders and teachers, and restraint in speech. Arjuna’s bow and gentle address to Droṇa model the ethical ideal that personal discipline and reverence need not be abandoned in conflict.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Arjuna, exhilarated and confident, brings his chariot close to Droṇa’s chariot, offers him respectful obeisance, and then speaks to him calmly and sweetly, setting the tone for a charged encounter framed by decorum.