Shloka 23
अर्जुनकर्णयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Arjuna–Karṇa Engagement and Counsel to Duryodhana
तावभ्यनन्दत् कौन्तेय: साम्ना परमवल्गुना | स्मितपूर्वममित्रघ्नं पूजयन् भरतर्षभ
tāv abhyānandat kaunteyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | smitapūrvam amitraghnaṁ pūjayan bharatarṣabha ||
Lalu Yudhiṣṭhira, putra Kuntī—yang termulia di antara Bharata—menyambut mereka dengan kata-kata yang amat manis dan menenteramkan. Ia tersenyum terlebih dahulu, lalu memuliakan para penumpas musuh—Kṛṣṇa dan Arjuna—dengan pujian yang menguatkan hati.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, righteous leadership values restraint, respectful speech, and encouragement of allies. Yudhiṣṭhira’s sweet, conciliatory words model dharmic conduct: strengthening unity and morale without arrogance or harshness.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, smiling, welcomes and honors Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, praising them with very gentle and pleasing words—an act of affirmation and reconciliation within the Pandava camp during the war’s tense developments.