Shloka 12
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वाक्यमुवाच खचरान् रणे । विसर्जयत राजानं भ्रातरं मे सुयोधनम्,तो भी उस समय शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले सव्यसाची अर्जुनने रणदुर्जय आकाशचारी गन्धर्वोंकी समझाते हुए इस प्रकार कहा--“तुम सब लोग मेरे भाई राजा दुर्योधनको छोड़ दो'
sāntvapūrvam idaṃ vākyam uvāca khacarān raṇe | visarjayata rājānaṃ bhrātaraṃ me suyodhanam ||
Luego, en medio del combate, habló a los Gandharvas que surcaban el cielo con palabras conciliadoras: «Soltad al rey, mi hermano Suyodhana (Duryodhana)». En esta súplica, el orador busca contener la violencia mediante la persuasión, afirmando el deber de parentesco aun hacia un pariente falible, e intentando evitar que la hostilidad se agrave.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid conflict, one should attempt sāntva (conciliation) before force. The verse highlights ethical restraint and the pull of familial duty: the speaker seeks to prevent further harm by requesting the release of his brother, showing that dharma can require protecting kin and limiting vengeance.
During a battle encounter with the air-moving Gandharvas, the speaker addresses them calmly and commands/request them to release King Suyodhana (Duryodhana), who has been seized or is under threat, aiming to end the confrontation without further bloodshed.