तत आश्शलिष्य त॑ प्रेम्णा मूर्थ्नि चाप्राय पाण्डव: । प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो विस्मयंश्व पुनः पुन:
tata āśliṣya taṁ premṇā mūrdhni cāghrāya pāṇḍavaḥ | prītyā paramayā yukto vismayaṁś ca punaḥ punaḥ ||
ಸಂಜಯನು ಹೇಳಿದನು— ನಂತರ ಪಾಂಡವನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಅವನನ್ನು ಅಪ್ಪಿಕೊಂಡು, ಅವನ ತಲೆಯನ್ನು ಮುದ್ದಿಟ್ಟು/ಘ್ರಾಣಿಸಿದನು. ಪರಮ ಹರ್ಷದಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿ, ಅವನು ಮರುಮರು ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯವನ್ನು ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದನು.
संजय उवाच
Even amid a battlefield narrative, the epic highlights dharmic humanity: affection, respect, and gratitude are not erased by conflict. The head-kiss (āghrāya mūrdhni) signals reverence and intimate goodwill, reminding that ethical conduct includes tenderness and recognition of bonds.
Sañjaya reports that a Pāṇḍava, overwhelmed with supreme joy, embraces a person and kisses/smells his head in affection, repeatedly expressing amazement—indicating an emotionally charged meeting or recognition within the larger war setting.