Shloka 32
Śālva Attacks Dvārakā; Pradyumna Leads the Defense
Saubha-vimāna and Māyā-yuddha
सारथिरुवाच धर्मं विजानतायुष्मन् कृतमेतन्मया विभो । सूत: कृच्छ्रगतं रक्षेद् रथिनं सारथिं रथी ॥ ३२ ॥
sārathir uvāca dharmaṁ vijānatāyuṣman kṛtam etan mayā vibho sūtaḥ kṛcchra-gataṁ rakṣed rathinaṁ sārathiṁ rathī
Le cocher répondit : « Ô toi qui vis longtemps, j’ai agi en connaissant mon dharma, ô Seigneur. Le conducteur du char doit protéger le maître du char en temps de péril, et le maître doit aussi protéger son cocher. »
FAQs
This verse teaches reciprocal duty: in danger the charioteer should protect the warrior, and the warrior should also protect the charioteer—dharma is mutual responsibility, not one-sided service.
He justifies his conduct as duty-based, emphasizing that proper action in crisis is guided by established roles and mutual protection rather than fear or selfishness.
It encourages reciprocal care in relationships—leaders protect and value supporters, and supporters act responsibly for the leader’s welfare—especially during difficult times.