Shloka 17
Vyāsa’s Vision, the Power of Bhāgavatam, and the Arrest of Aśvatthāmā
इति प्रियां वल्गुविचित्रजल्पै: स सान्त्वयित्वाच्युतमित्रसूत: । अन्वाद्रवद्दंशित उग्रधन्वा कपिध्वजो गुरुपुत्रं रथेन ॥ १७ ॥
iti priyāṁ valgu-vicitra-jalpaiḥ sa sāntvayitvācyuta-mitra-sūtaḥ anvādravad daṁśita ugra-dhanvā kapi-dhvajo guru-putraṁ rathena
Arjuna, yang dibimbing oleh Tuhan yang tidak dapat dikalahkan sebagai sahabat dan pemandu, memuaskan hati wanita tersayang dengan kenyataan sedemikian. Kemudian dia memakai baju besi dan mempersenjatai dirinya dengan senjata yang hebat, dan menaiki keretanya, dia berangkat untuk mengikuti Aśvatthāmā, anak kepada guru bela dirinya.
FAQs
This verse highlights Kṛṣṇa as both “Acyuta-mitra” (the infallible friend) and “sūta” (charioteer), who first consoles Arjuna with affectionate words and then supports his righteous pursuit of Aśvatthāmā.
After the shocking violence committed by Aśvatthāmā, Arjuna needed steadiness and clarity. Kṛṣṇa’s calming, well-chosen words restore Arjuna’s composure so he can act decisively according to dharma.
Before taking action in a crisis, seek calm counsel, regain inner balance, and then act firmly and ethically—combining compassion in speech with determination in duty, as Kṛṣṇa models here.