Shloka 20
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
त॑ं पन्नगमिव क्रुद्धं कुरुवीर: स्मयन्निव । प्रीतिपूर्व महाबाहु: प्राणैर्न व्यपरोपयत्
taṁ pannagam iva kruddhaṁ kuruvīraḥ smayann iva | prītipūrvaṁ mahābāhuḥ prāṇair na vyaparopayat ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Aunque Dhṛtavarmā ardía de ira como una serpiente, el héroe kuru Arjuna, de poderosos brazos, combatía con una leve sonrisa, movido por benevolencia. Aun en la batalla no le arrebató la vida a su adversario.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous battle, a warrior’s dharma includes self-control: anger in the opponent need not provoke cruelty. Arjuna’s choice not to kill highlights restraint, proportionality, and the ethical possibility of mercy within warfare.
Dhṛtavarmā attacks in furious rage, compared to a serpent. Arjuna, described as a Kuru hero and mighty-armed, continues fighting calmly—almost smiling—and deliberately refrains from taking Dhṛtavarmā’s life.