Shloka 17
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
एकादशचमूनाथं कुरूणामधिपं तथा । मा स्प्राक्षीर्भीम पादेन राजानं ज्ञातिमेव च,'भीम! ग्यारह अक्षौहिणी सेनाके स्वामी तथा अपने ही बान्धव कुरुराज राजा दुर्योधनको पैरसे न ठुकराओ
ekādaśa-camū-nāthaṃ kurūṇām adhipaṃ tathā | mā sprākṣīr bhīma pādena rājānaṃ jñātim eva ca ||
Sañjaya said: “Bhīma, do not strike with your foot the king Duryodhana—lord of the Kurus and commander of the eleven armies—for he is also your own kinsman.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid victory and rage, one should restrain humiliating acts: a fallen enemy—especially a kinsman and a king—should not be dishonored by being struck with the foot, which signifies contempt.
After Duryodhana’s defeat, Sañjaya reports an admonition to Bhīma not to insult Duryodhana physically (by kicking), reminding him of Duryodhana’s status as ruler of the Kurus and commander of the eleven armies, and also as a relative.