Shloka 30
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
स निवर्त रथेनाशु पुनर्दारुकनन्दन । न चैतदेवं कर्तव्यमथापत्सु कथंचन,“दारुकनन्दन! अतः तू शीघ्र ही रथके द्वारा पुनः संग्रामभूमिकी ओर लौट। आजसे मुझपर आपत्ति आनेपर भी तू किसी तरह ऐसा बर्ताव न करना
sa nivarta rathenāśu punardārukanandana | na caitadevaṃ kartavyam athāpatsu kathaṃcana ||
Vāyu said: “O son of Dāruka, turn back at once with your chariot and return to the field of action. And never again should you behave in this way—under any circumstances, even in times of distress.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not abandon one’s proper course of action out of fear or distress; ethical steadiness and duty must be maintained even in adversity.
Vāyu addresses “Dārukanandana,” commanding him to turn back immediately with the chariot and warning him not to repeat such conduct again, even under difficult circumstances.