Shloka 18
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 34: Balarāma’s Withdrawal, Sarasvatī Pilgrimage Logistics, and Prabhāsa as Soma’s Renewal Tīrtha
ततोअब्रवीद् धर्मसुतो रोहिणेयमरिंदमम्
tato 'bravīd dharmasuto rohiṇeyam ariṃdamam
Sanjaya said: Then the son of Dharma (Yudhiṣṭhira) spoke to Rohiṇeya (Balarāma), the subduer of foes—addressing him in the midst of the war’s grave moral pressure, seeking counsel and direction amid the unfolding calamity.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic leadership under crisis: Yudhiṣṭhira, marked as ‘Dharmasuta’, turns to a revered elder-warrior (Balarāma) for guidance, suggesting that righteous action in war requires counsel, restraint, and accountability rather than mere force.
Sañjaya reports a transition in the scene: after preceding events, Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Balarāma (Rohiṇeya), introducing a speech or request that follows in subsequent verses.