Shloka 15
Duryodhana’s Anxiety, Bhīṣma’s Reassurance, and Renewed Mobilization (दुर्योधनचिन्ता–भीष्मप्रत्याश्वासन–सेनानिर्गमनम्)
समास्थाय मतिं वीरो बीभत्सु: शत्रुतापन: । कृपां चक्रे रथश्रेष्ठो भारद्वाजसुतं प्रति
samāsthāya matiṁ vīro bībhatsuḥ śatrutāpanaḥ | kṛpāṁ cakre rathaśreṣṭho bhāradvājasutaṁ prati ||
സഞ്ജയൻ പറഞ്ഞു—ശത്രുതാപകനായ വീരൻ ബീഭത്സു അർജുനൻ മനസ്സിൽ നിശ്ചയമുറപ്പിച്ച്, രഥശ്രേഷ്ഠനായി, ഭാരദ്വാജപുത്രൻ (അശ്വത്ഥാമ) പ്രതി കരുണ കാണിച്ചു।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous warfare, dharma includes restraint: Arjuna’s valor is balanced by compassion and reverence, especially toward one connected to his teacher and regarded as worthy of honor.
Sañjaya narrates that Arjuna, after forming a clear resolve, chooses to show mercy toward Aśvatthāmā (identified as Bhāradvāja’s son), indicating a deliberate ethical decision amid the violence of battle.