Shloka 30
Adhyāya 129 — Public Acclaim of the Pāṇḍavas and Duryodhana’s Appeal to Dhṛtarāṣṭra
ततो5भिवाद्य जननी ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरमेव च । कनीयस: समाप्राय शिर:स्वरिविमर्दन:,तदनन्तर शत्रुमर्दन भीमने माता और बड़े भाईको प्रणाम करके स्नेहपूर्वक छोटे भाइयोंका सिर सूँघा
tato ’bhivādya jananīṁ jyeṣṭhaṁ bhrātaram eva ca | kanīyasaḥ samāprāya śiraḥsvar ivimardanaḥ ||
Luego, tras saludar con respeto a su madre y también a su hermano mayor, el héroe que aplasta a los enemigos se acercó con afecto a sus hermanos menores y aspiró el aroma de sus cabezas: gesto de bendición, intimidad y amparo propio del hermano mayor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights proper conduct (ācāra) within family life: one should honor one’s mother and senior kin with respectful salutation, and show protective affection toward younger relatives. Strength and heroism are framed as compatible with tenderness and responsibility.
After greeting his mother and eldest brother, the warrior—described as a crusher of enemies—approaches the younger brothers and affectionately smells their heads, a traditional gesture conveying blessing, intimacy, and elderly care.