Shloka 16
Rājagṛhe Magadheśvarasya yuddhāhvānam — Arjunena saṃyamaḥ
The Rājagṛha Challenge and Arjuna’s Restraint
सहितो वसुदेवेन मातुलेन किरीटिन: । तौ समेत्य कुरुश्रेष्ठ विधिवत् प्रीतिपूर्वकम्
sahito vasudevena mātulena kirīṭinaḥ | tau sametya kuruśreṣṭha vidhivat prītipūrvakam ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Accompagné de son oncle maternel Vāsudeva, Arjuna, le front ceint du diadème, s’avança vers le plus éminent des Kuru. Tous deux se rencontrèrent selon les formes prescrites, avec affection et bienveillance — une entrevue marquée par la juste étiquette et la chaleur d’une réconciliation après les épreuves de la guerre.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after conflict, dharma is upheld through proper conduct: meeting others with prescribed etiquette (vidhivat) and sincere goodwill (prītipūrvakam). Social harmony is restored not merely by power, but by respectful, rule-guided reconciliation.
Arjuna, accompanied by his maternal uncle Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa), goes to meet the foremost Kuru figure; the verse highlights that their meeting occurs formally and warmly, emphasizing courteous procedure and affectionate intent.