भीष्मपर्व — अध्याय ११०: पार्थभीमयोः प्रहारः तथा भीष्माभिमुखं संग्रामविस्तारः
Arjuna and Bhima’s pressure; escalation toward Bhishma
एवं श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य कारुण्याद् बहुविस्तरम् । प्रत्युवाच तत: कृष्ण: सान्त्वयानो युधिष्ठिरम्
evaṁ śrutvā vacas tasya kāruṇyād bahuvistaram | pratyuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sāntvayāno yudhiṣṭhiram ||
Setelah mendengar kata-kata Yudhiṣṭhira—yang terbit daripada belas kasihan dan dihuraikan dengan panjang lebar—Kṛṣṇa pun menjawab, sambil menenteramkan hati Yudhiṣṭhira.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical tension between compassion and the harsh necessities of a righteous war: Yudhiṣṭhira’s pity-filled, detailed lament prompts Kṛṣṇa to respond with consolation, implying that moral clarity and steadiness must accompany compassion in moments of duty.
Sañjaya reports that after hearing Yudhiṣṭhira’s long, compassion-driven speech, Kṛṣṇa begins his reply, specifically in the mode of comforting and steadying Yudhiṣṭhira amid the unfolding conflict.