Shloka 12
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वाक्यमुवाच खचरान् रणे । विसर्जयत राजानं भ्रातरं मे सुयोधनम्,तो भी उस समय शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले सव्यसाची अर्जुनने रणदुर्जय आकाशचारी गन्धर्वोंकी समझाते हुए इस प्रकार कहा--“तुम सब लोग मेरे भाई राजा दुर्योधनको छोड़ दो'
sāntvapūrvam idaṃ vākyam uvāca khacarān raṇe | visarjayata rājānaṃ bhrātaraṃ me suyodhanam ||
Then, in the midst of battle, he addressed the sky-ranging Gandharvas with conciliatory words: “Release the king—my brother Suyodhana (Duryodhana).” In this appeal, the speaker seeks to restrain violence through persuasion, asserting kinship-duty even toward a flawed relative and attempting to avert an escalation of hostility.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid conflict, one should attempt sāntva (conciliation) before force. The verse highlights ethical restraint and the pull of familial duty: the speaker seeks to prevent further harm by requesting the release of his brother, showing that dharma can require protecting kin and limiting vengeance.
During a battle encounter with the air-moving Gandharvas, the speaker addresses them calmly and commands/request them to release King Suyodhana (Duryodhana), who has been seized or is under threat, aiming to end the confrontation without further bloodshed.