Shloka 22
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
एवं धृतिमत: साधो: सर्वास्त्रविदुष: सतः । सभ्रातृबन्धो: कस्मात् त्वं वधमस्य चिकीर्षसि
evaṁ dhṛtimataḥ sādhoḥ sarvāstraviduṣaḥ sataḥ | sabhrātṛbandhoḥ kasmāt tvaṁ vadham asya cikīrṣasi ||
जो असा धैर्यवान, साधू, सर्व अस्त्रांचा जाणकार आणि सत्पुरुष आहे, आणि भाऊ-बंधूं सहित उभा आहे—तरीही तू त्याचा वध का इच्छितोस?
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a war setting, the intention to kill must be examined ethically; virtue, steadfastness, and rightful standing (with one’s kin) are presented as reasons to restrain violent intent and to question whether such killing accords with dharma.
Vyāsa addresses a listener who is contemplating the killing of a particular warrior. He highlights that person’s noble qualities and martial competence, then challenges the listener’s motive: why seek his death despite these virtues and his support of brothers and relatives?