Shloka 24
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
च्युतं तु गौतमं स्थानात् समीक्ष्य कुरुनन्दन: । नाविध्यत् परवीरध्नो रक्षमाणो5स्य गौरवम्,कृपाचार्यको स्थानसे गिरा हुआ देख शत्रुवीरोंका नाश करनेवाले कुरुनन्दन अर्जुनने उनके गौरवकी रक्षा करते हुए उनपर बाणोंसे आघात नहीं किया
cyutaṃ tu gautamaṃ sthānāt samīkṣya kurunandanaḥ | nāvidhyat paravīradhno rakṣamāṇo 'sya gauravam ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Melihat Gautama (Kṛpācārya) terjatuh dari tempatnya, Arjuna—kebanggaan kaum Kuru, pembinasa wira musuh—tidak memanahnya, demi memelihara maruah sang tua walau di medan perang.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous combat, dharma includes restraint: a warrior should not exploit an opponent’s vulnerable state, especially when the opponent is an honored elder/teacher. Arjuna upholds dignity (gaurava) over easy victory.
During the Virāṭa episode’s battle, Kṛpa (called Gautama) is seen to have fallen from his position. Arjuna notices this and deliberately refrains from shooting him, choosing to preserve Kṛpa’s honor.