Shloka 56
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
उत्थाय च महाबाहु: पर्याश्वस्तो धनंजय: । बभ्रुवाहनमालिड्ग्य समाजिघ्रत मूर्थनि,महाबाहु अर्जुन भलीभाँति स्वस्थ होकर उठे और बभ्रुवाहनको हृदयसे लगाकर उसका मस्तक सूँघने लगे
utthāya ca mahābāhuḥ paryāśvasto dhanañjayaḥ | babhrūvāhanam āliṅgya samājighrata mūrdhani ||
Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: Entonces Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), el héroe de poderosos brazos, se incorporó ya plenamente restablecido. Abrazó a Babhrūvāhana y, con ternura, aspiró el aroma de su cabeza: un gesto íntimo de reconocimiento paterno y reconciliación, que afirmaba el parentesco y la restauración de la armonía tras el conflicto.
वैशमग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after violent confrontation, dharma is fulfilled through restoration—recognizing kinship, showing compassion, and re-establishing social and familial harmony rather than clinging to resentment.
Arjuna, now recovered and composed, rises and embraces Babhrūvāhana, then affectionately smells his head—signaling paternal affection, acceptance, and reconciliation.