Shloka 5
Babhruvāhana’s Lament and Appeal for Expiation (प्रायश्चित्त-याचना)
किंतु सर्वापराधो<5यं यदि तेड्द्य धनंजय: । क्षमस्व याच्यमाना वै जीवयस्व धनंजयम्,'किंतु यदि ये अर्जुन सर्वथा तुम्हारे अपराधी हों तो भी आज क्षमा कर दो। मैं तुमसे इनके प्राणोंकी भीख माँगती हूँ। तुम धनंजयको जीवित कर दो
kintu sarvāparādho 'yaṁ yadi te 'dya dhanañjayaḥ | kṣamasva yācyamānā vai jīvayasva dhanañjayam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Even if this Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) has committed every offense against you, forgive him today. I beg you for his very life—let Dhanañjaya live.” The plea foregrounds the ethical power of kṣamā (forgiveness) over retribution, urging restraint even when one feels fully wronged.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates kṣamā (forgiveness) as a dharmic response even when the other party seems wholly at fault, emphasizing mercy and the preservation of life over anger and punishment.
A speaker (reported by Vaiśaṃpāyana) conveys an urgent supplication to forgive Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) and to spare his life, framing the moment as a decisive ethical choice between vengeance and compassion.