Shloka 41
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
(अर्जुनो5पि महाबाहुरप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना । नोवाच वचन किंचिद् भ्रातरं, साध्वसाधु वा ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
arjuno 'pi mahābāhur aprītenāntarātmanā |
novāca vacanaṃ kiñcid bhrātaraṃ sādhv asādhu vā ||
bhīmaseno 'pi hatvā yuddhe tava putram amarṣaṇaḥ |
abhivādya agrataḥ sthitvā samprahṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
Sañjaya dit : Arjuna aux bras puissants, l’âme intérieurement contrariée, ne dit pas un mot à son frère—ni pour approuver ni pour blâmer. Mais Bhīmasena, farouche dans sa colère, après avoir tué ton fils au combat, fut transporté de joie ; il s’inclina devant Yudhiṣṭhira et se tint devant lui, les mains jointes en signe de respect.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contrasting moral-psychological responses to violence done in the name of duty: Arjuna’s inward displeasure and restraint in speech suggest ethical reflection and self-control, while Bhima’s exuberant triumph shows how victory can inflame pride. Together they point to the dharmic challenge of acting in war without losing inner balance.
After Bhima kills one of Dhritarashtra’s sons on the battlefield, he joyfully approaches Yudhishthira, bows, and stands with folded hands. Arjuna, however, remains silent toward his brother, neither praising nor blaming him, indicating inner unease about the act and its consequences.