Shloka 6
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
तानब्रवीत् ततो जिष्णु: प्रहसन्निव भारत । निवर्तध्वमधर्मज्ञा: श्रेयो जीवितमेव च
tān abravīt tato jiṣṇuḥ prahasann iva bhārata | nivartadhvam adharmajñāḥ śreyo jīvitam eva ca ||
Lalu Jiṣṇu (Arjuna) berkata kepada mereka, seolah-olah dengan senyuman tipis: “Wahai Bhārata, berundurlah. Kamu yang tidak memahami dharma—kebaikanmu yang sebenar terletak pada memelihara nyawamu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a martial setting, dharma includes restraint and giving the opponent a chance to withdraw. Arjuna frames ‘śreyas’ (true welfare) for the misguided as choosing life over persisting in adharma-driven aggression.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Arjuna (called Jiṣṇu) addresses opposing men and, with a controlled, almost smiling demeanor, warns them to turn back—implying that if they persist in unrighteous action, they will face destruction, whereas retreat preserves their welfare.