Shloka 24
Arjuna Confronted by Saindhava Forces during the Aśvamedha Circuit (श्वेतवाहनस्य सैन्धवसंघर्षः)
इति भ्रातृवच: श्रुत्वा न हन्मि त्वां नराधिप । उत्तिष्ठ न भयं ते$स्ति स्वस्तिमान् गच्छ पार्थिव
iti bhrātṛvacaḥ śrutvā na hanmi tvāṁ narādhipa | uttiṣṭha na bhayaṁ te 'sti svastimān gaccha pārthiva ||
Ayant entendu les paroles de son frère, il dit : « Ô roi, après avoir écouté la parole de mon frère et l’avoir prise pour loi, je ne te tuerai pas. Lève-toi — tu n’as rien à craindre. Ô souverain de la terre, retourne chez toi en sûreté. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint: even when one has the power to kill a defeated opponent, ethical conduct—strengthened here by a brother’s counsel—can choose mercy, remove fear, and allow safe return. Victory is shown as complete not through slaughter but through self-control and protection of the fallen.
Vaiśampāyana reports a moment after a confrontation in which a king is addressed directly. Having heard his brother’s words, the speaker refuses to kill the king, commands him to rise, assures him of safety, and sends him back home unharmed.