Shloka 8
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
सो<5पयामि शनैर्वीर बलवानेष पापकृत् । मोहितश्न रणे शूरो रक्ष्य: सारथिना रथी,वीरवर! मैं धीरे-धीरे रणभूमिसे दूर इसलिये जा रहा हूँ कि यह पापी शाल्व बड़ा बलवान है। सारथिका यह धर्म है कि यदि शूरवीर रथी संग्राममें मूर्च्छिंत हो जाय तो वह किसी प्रकार उसके प्राणोंकी रक्षा करे
so 'payāmi śanair vīra balavān eṣa pāpakṛt | mohitaś ca raṇe śūro rakṣyaḥ sārathinā rathī ||
Vāyu said: “O hero, I am withdrawing slowly, for this sinful man is exceedingly strong. And when a valiant chariot-warrior is bewildered or faints in battle, it is the charioteer’s duty to protect his life by any means.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse states a specific dharma: a charioteer must prioritize safeguarding the chariot-warrior’s life if the warrior becomes stunned or incapacitated in battle, even if that requires tactical withdrawal.
Vāyu explains that he is retreating slowly from the battlefield because the opposing fighter is very strong; the retreat is justified as the proper action of a charioteer when the warrior on the chariot is overwhelmed or unable to fight effectively.