Shloka 246
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
धनंजयोउपि तां दृष्टवा धनुर्विससजे प्रभु: । वह अर्जुनके पास आकर आर्तस्वरसे फूट-फ़ूटकर रोने लगी। शक्तिशाली अर्जुनने भी उसे सामने देख अपना धनुष नीचे डाल दिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dhanañjayo 'pi tāṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanur visasarje prabhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana disse: Ao vê-la diante de si, até Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), o poderoso senhor, deixou o arco escapar-lhe da mão. A cena mostra como a compaixão e a vulnerabilidade humana podem interromper o ímpeto da violência: a prontidão do guerreiro para agir cede, por um momento, à empatia diante do luto alheio.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is not mere force or victory; even a great warrior must remain responsive to suffering. Compassion can rightly suspend aggression, reminding the listener that ethical action includes sensitivity to others’ pain.
A grieving woman approaches (implied by context), and when Arjuna sees her, he lowers/releases his bow. The moment signals a shift from martial readiness to attentive engagement with her distress.