Shloka 15
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १२५: दुर्योधनस्य प्रत्युत्तरम्
Duryodhana’s Reply in the Kuru Assembly
“तथा तुम्हें पास बिठाकर रत्न एवं ओषधियोंसे युक्त लाल हथेलीवाले हाथसे तुम्हारी पीठको धीरे-धीरे सहलायें ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | śālaskandho mahābāhus tvāṃ svajano vṛkodaraḥ | sāmnābhivadatāṃ cāpi śāntaye bharatarṣabha ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dit : «Ainsi, qu’on le fasse asseoir près de toi et, de cette paume rougie, pourvue de joyaux et d’herbes, qu’il caresse lentement ton dos. Et Bhīmasena — aux épaules hautes comme le tronc du śāla, aux bras puissants, ton parent, nommé Vṛkodara — lui aussi, pour la paix, te serrera contre son cœur et te parlera en paroles douces et conciliantes, ô taureau des Bhārata.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest warrior is urged to adopt gentleness and conciliatory speech when the goal is śānti (peace). Strength is framed as serving dharma through restraint and reconciliation, not merely through force.
Vaiśampāyana describes how Bhīma—despite his formidable build and reputation—will speak soothingly to the addressed person as part of efforts to secure peace and avert escalation toward war.