Shloka 9
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
दुर्योधनादय: सर्वे ब्राह्म॒णैः सह संगता: । मृदुपूर्वमयत्नेन प्रत्ययुध्यंस्तदाहवे
duryodhanādayaḥ sarve brāhmaṇaiḥ saha saṅgatāḥ | mṛdupūrvam ayatnena pratyayudhyanta tadāhave ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Alors Duryodhana et les autres, s’étant rassemblés avec les brāhmaṇas, se mirent à échanger des ripostes sur ce champ de bataille avec douceur et sans se donner de peine—comme un affrontement retenu, presque un jeu, plutôt qu’une lutte féroce.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within the setting of battle, conduct can be moderated by dharma: restraint, self-control, and respect—especially in the presence of brāhmaṇas—can temper aggression and prevent needless cruelty.
Duryodhana and his companions, together with brāhmaṇas, enter into a form of reciprocal combat on the battlefield, but they do so mildly and without intense effort, suggesting a controlled or non-lethal style of fighting in that moment.