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 berkata: Arjuna yang berlengan perkasa pun, dengan batin yang tidak berkenan, tidak mengucapkan sepatah kata pun kepada saudaranya—tidak memuji dan tidak pula mencela. Namun Bhimasena, yang tak menahan amarah, setelah menewaskan putramu di medan laga, menjadi sangat bersukacita; ia bersujud memberi hormat kepada Yudhiṣṭhira dan berdiri di hadapannya dengan tangan terkatup.
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.