Shloka 246
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
धनंजयोउपि तां दृष्टवा धनुर्विससजे प्रभु: । वह अर्जुनके पास आकर आर्तस्वरसे फूट-फ़ूटकर रोने लगी। शक्तिशाली अर्जुनने भी उसे सामने देख अपना धनुष नीचे डाल दिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dhanañjayo 'pi tāṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanur visasarje prabhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Al verla ante sí, incluso Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), el poderoso señor, dejó que el arco se le escurriera de la mano. La escena muestra cómo la compasión y la vulnerabilidad humana pueden interrumpir el ímpetu de la violencia: la disposición del guerrero a actuar cede, por un instante, ante la empatía frente al dolor ajeno.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is not mere force or victory; even a great warrior must remain responsive to suffering. Compassion can rightly suspend aggression, reminding the listener that ethical action includes sensitivity to others’ pain.
A grieving woman approaches (implied by context), and when Arjuna sees her, he lowers/releases his bow. The moment signals a shift from martial readiness to attentive engagement with her distress.