Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
न हि तस्याप्रियं कुर्या प्राणत्यागे5प्युपस्थिते । कुतो गन्तुं महाबाहो पुरीं द्वारावतीं प्रति
na hi tasyāpriyaṃ kuryā prāṇatyāge ’py upasthite | kuto gantuṃ mahābāho purīṃ dvārāvatīṃ prati ||
Sekalipun saat meninggalkan nyawa telah tiba, janganlah melakukan sesuatu yang tidak berkenan baginya. Wahai yang berlengan perkasa, bagaimana mungkin engkau pergi menuju kota Dvāravatī?
वायुदेव उवाच
The verse frames an ethical maxim: one should not act against a respected person’s wishes or welfare even under extreme pressure, including the threat of death. It uses a rhetorical question to reinforce steadfast loyalty and restraint in action.
Vāyudeva addresses a hero as “mahābāho,” advising him that it would be improper to do something displeasing to ‘him’ (contextually, a revered figure) even at life’s end; therefore, going toward Dvāravatī is presented as unthinkable or unjustified in the given situation.