Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
प्रमृद्य परराष्ट्राणि कृतार्थ पुनरागतम् । पुत्रमाश्लिष्य भीष्मस्तु हर्षादश्रूण्यवर्तयत्,शत्रुओंके राज्योंको धूलमें मिलाकर कृतकृत्य होकर लौटे हुए अपने पुत्र पाण्डुका आलिंगन करके भीष्मजी हर्षके आँसू बहाने लगे
pramṛdya pararāṣṭrāṇi kṛtārthaḥ punarāgataṃ | putram āśliṣya bhīṣmas tu harṣād aśrūṇy avartayat ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Tendo esmagado os reinos inimigos e regressado com sua missão cumprida, Pāṇḍu foi abraçado por Bhīṣma; tomado de júbilo, Bhīṣma verteu lágrimas. A cena ressalta o dever do guerreiro realizado com êxito e a afeição terna, alicerçada no dharma, dos anciãos—que se alegram não apenas pela vitória, mas pelo retorno seguro e pela realização justa de um parente.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights dharma in two complementary forms: the kṣatriya’s obligation to protect and prevail in rightful conflict, and the elder’s humane, affectionate response that values the safe return and proper completion of duty over mere triumph.
Pāṇḍu returns after defeating hostile kingdoms and accomplishing his objective. Bhīṣma receives him warmly, embraces him as a son, and weeps tears of joy, marking both the success of the campaign and the restoration of familial security.