Shloka 29
Bhagadatta’s Astra and the Fall of the Prāgjyotiṣa King (भगदत्त-वधः / वैष्णवास्त्र-प्रसङ्गः)
त॑ प्राप्तमपि नेयेष परावृत्तं महाद्विपम् सारोहें मृत्युसात्कर्तु स्मरन् धर्म धनंजय:,यद्यपि वह महान् गजराज आक्रमण करते समय अपने बहुत निकट आ गया था, तो भी अर्जुनने धर्मका स्मरण करके सवारोंसहित उस हाथीको मृत्युके अधीन करनेकी इच्छा नहीं की-
sañjaya uvāca | taṁ prāptam api neyeṣa parāvṛttaṁ mahādvipam | sārohaṁ mṛtyusāt kartuṁ smaran dharmaṁ dhanañjayaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Although the great elephant had come very near in its charge, Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), mindful of dharma, did not wish to bring that turned-back mighty beast—together with its riders—under the sway of death. The moment underscores his restraint in battle and his ethical hesitation to kill when the opponent is no longer pressing the attack.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, dharma can require restraint: when an opponent has turned back or is no longer actively threatening, righteous conduct may discourage needless killing—especially of those who are merely mounted upon a beast.
A great war-elephant charges close to Arjuna, but then turns back. Arjuna, recalling dharma, refrains from killing the elephant along with its riders, showing ethical hesitation amid the violence of battle.