Shloka 23
Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)
ववन्दतुश्च संहृष्टौ शिरोभ्यां तं महेश्वरम्,फिर तो अत्यन्त हर्षमें भरे हुए श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन दोनों महापुरुषोंने मस्तक नवाकर भगवान महेश्वरको प्रणाम किया और उनकी आज्ञा ले उसी क्षण वे दोनों वीर बड़ी प्रसन्नताके साथ अपने शिविरको लौट आये
vavandatuś ca saṁhṛṣṭau śirobhyāṁ taṁ maheśvaram | atha tu atyanta-harṣeṇa pūritau śrīkṛṣṇārjunau ubhau mahāpuruṣau mastakaṁ namaskṛtvā bhagavantaṁ maheśvaraṁ praṇamya tasya ājñāṁ gṛhītvā tat-kṣaṇam eva tau vīrau mahā-prasannau sva-śibiraṁ pratyāgatau ||
Sañjaya said: Overjoyed, they bowed their heads to Maheśvara. Then Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna—both great souls—having lowered their heads in reverence, offered obeisance to Lord Maheśvara; and, receiving his permission, those two heroes at once returned to their own camp, filled with gladness. The episode underscores that even in the midst of war, rightful action is to be grounded in humility, devotion, and obedience to divine counsel rather than pride.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest warriors act rightly when they remain humble before the divine, seek legitimate permission, and let devotion and discipline restrain ego—especially in the morally charged setting of war.
Sañjaya narrates that Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, filled with joy, bow to Lord Śiva (Maheśvara), receive his consent, and immediately return to their camp, indicating a completed divine encounter and the securing of auspicious sanction.