Shloka 23
अर्जुनकर्णयोर्युद्धवर्णनम्
Description of the Arjuna–Karṇa Engagement and Counsel to Duryodhana
तावभ्यनन्दत् कौन्तेय: साम्ना परमवल्गुना | स्मितपूर्वममित्रघ्नं पूजयन् भरतर्षभ
tāv abhyānandat kaunteyaḥ sāmnā paramavalgūnā | smitapūrvam amitraghnaṁ pūjayan bharatarṣabha ||
Disse Sañjaya: Então Yudhiṣṭhira, filho de Kuntī, ó touro entre os Bhāratas, acolheu-os com palavras extremamente doces e conciliadoras. Sorrindo primeiro, honrou e louvou o matador de inimigos—Kṛṣṇa (e Arjuna)—buscando fortalecer-lhes o ânimo e preservar a harmonia da causa do dharma sob a pressão da guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the midst of conflict, righteous leadership values restraint, respectful speech, and encouragement of allies. Yudhiṣṭhira’s sweet, conciliatory words model dharmic conduct: strengthening unity and morale without arrogance or harshness.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, smiling, welcomes and honors Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, praising them with very gentle and pleasing words—an act of affirmation and reconciliation within the Pandava camp during the war’s tense developments.