Shloka 12
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
दारुकात्मज मैवं त्वं पुनः कार्षी: कथंचन । व्यपयानं रणात् सौते जीवतो मम कहिचित्,कुरुनन्दन! सूतके ऐसा कहनेपर मकरथ्वज प्रद्युम्नने उससे कहा--“दारुककुमार! तू रथको पुनः युद्धभूमिकी ओर लौटा ले चल। सूतपुत्र! आजसे फिर कभी किसी प्रकार भी मेरे जीते-जी रथको रणभूमिसे न लौटाना
Dārukātmaja maivaṁ tvaṁ punaḥ kārṣīḥ kathaṁcana | vyapāyanaṁ raṇāt saute jīvato mama karhi cit, Kurunandana ||
Wahai putra Dāruka, jangan pernah melakukan ini lagi, bagaimanapun juga. Wahai sais, selama aku masih hidup, jangan sekali-kali menarik kereta ini mundur dari medan perang.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns retreat undertaken from weakness or indecision and upholds steadfastness in one’s appointed duty (dharma). When a role is accepted—especially in a righteous conflict—abandoning the field is treated as a breach of honor and responsibility.
Vāyu addresses the charioteer’s side (the son of Dāruka / the sūta) and issues a strict command: do not turn the chariot back from the battlefield while he is alive. It is a forceful reprimand meant to prevent withdrawal and to keep the combatant committed to the fight.