Shloka 24
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
तद् भीष्मवाक्यं हितमीक्ष्य सर्वे धनंजयाग्निं च विवर्धमानम् | निवर्तनायैव मनो निदध्यु- दुर्योधनं ते परिरक्षमाणा:
tad bhīṣmavākyaṃ hitam īkṣya sarve dhanañjayāgniṃ ca vivardhamānam | nivartanāyaiva mano nidadhyur duryodhanaṃ te parirakṣamāṇāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Al considerar todos que el consejo de Bhīṣma era saludable, y al reconocer que el fuego de Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) sólo ardería con mayor fiereza si se insistía en la batalla, fijaron su ánimo únicamente en la retirada. Protegiendo a Duryodhana, resolvieron dar media vuelta y regresar a su propia tierra, eligiendo la prudencia antes que una guerra que avivaría la destrucción.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Heeding wise counsel and choosing restraint can be more dharmic and beneficial than escalating conflict—especially when the opponent’s strength will only intensify if provoked.
After Bhīṣma’s advice, the assembled warriors realize that fighting Arjuna would only make his martial ‘fire’ blaze more fiercely; therefore, while safeguarding Duryodhana, they decide to withdraw and return home.