Shloka 25
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
कृतवर्मा मया वीरो निर्यास्यन्नेव वारित: । शाल्व॑ निवारयिष्ये5हं तिष्ठ त्वमिति सूतज,'सूतपुत्र! वीर कृतवर्मा शाल्वका सामना करनेके लिये पुरीसे बाहर आ रहे थे; किंतु मैंने उन्हें रोक दिया और कहा--“आप यहीं रहिये। मैं शाल्वको परास्त करूँगा”
kṛtavarmā mayā vīro niryāsyann eva vāritaḥ | śālvaṁ nivārayiṣye'haṁ tiṣṭha tvam iti sūtaja ||
Dijo Vāyu: «Al héroe Kṛtavarmā, cuando ya estaba por salir, lo detuve yo. “Yo mismo contendré a Śālva; tú quédate aquí”, le dije, oh hijo de auriga».
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Courage is not only charging into battle; it also includes disciplined restraint and taking responsibility. Vāyu’s act of stopping Kṛtavarmā models protective leadership—choosing to bear the risk oneself to prevent unnecessary harm to an ally.
As Kṛtavarmā prepares to go out to face Śālva, Vāyu intervenes and restrains him, declaring that he himself will repel Śālva and instructing Kṛtavarmā to remain where he is.