Shloka 17
Indrajit’s Binding, Restoration by Viśalyā, and Counsel Restraining Rāvaṇa (Āraṇyaka Parva 273)
तमुवाच ततो ज्येष्ठो भ्राता सप्रणयं वच: । मुज्चैनमधमाचारं प्रमाणा यदि ते वयम्,तब बड़े भाई युधिष्िरने प्रेमपूर्वक भीमसेनसे कहा--“यदि तुम मेरी बात मानते हो तो इस पापाचारीको छोड़ दो”
tam uvāca tato jyeṣṭho bhrātā sapraṇayaṃ vacaḥ | muñcainam adhamācāraṃ pramāṇā yadi te vayam ||
Then the eldest brother addressed him with affectionate words: “Release this man of base conduct. If you accept us as your authority, then let him go.” The appeal frames restraint and deference to rightful counsel as a higher ethical choice than acting on anger.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronting wrongdoing, dharma may require restraint and mercy. The elder brother’s affectionate yet firm counsel urges Bhīma to subordinate anger to ethical judgment and to accept rightful guidance as a standard (pramāṇa).
In the forest narrative, Bhīma is poised to act harshly against a person described as of base conduct. The eldest brother intervenes, speaking lovingly, and asks Bhīma to release the man, appealing to Bhīma’s respect for the brothers’ authority.