Shloka 936
Koṭikāśya’s Inquiry to the Radiant Woman near the Kadamba (कोटिकाश्यप्रश्नः)
सान्त्वपूर्वमयाचन्त शक्ता: सन््तो महारथा: । तदनन्तर पुरुषसिंह महारथी पाण्डव उस स्थानपर आकर समर्थ होते हुए भी गन्धर्वोंसे सान्त्वनापूर्ण शब्दोंमें (हमें छोड़ देनेके लिये) याचना करने लगे
sāntvapūrvam ayācanta śaktāḥ santo mahārathāḥ | tadanantara puruṣasiṃha mahārathī pāṇḍavaḥ us sthānapar ākar samartha hote hue bhī gandharvoṃ se sāntvanāpūrṇa śabdoṃ meṃ (hameṃ choṛ dene ke liye) yācanā karne lage |
Duryodhana disse: “Embora fossem capazes e grandes guerreiros de carro, primeiro tentaram conquistá-los com palavras conciliadoras. Depois, o Pāṇḍava—leão entre os homens e poderoso combatente—chegou àquele lugar; e, apesar de plenamente apto, começou a suplicar aos Gandharvas com fala suave e pacífica, pedindo que nos libertassem.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one has the strength to compel an outcome, dharmic conduct often begins with sāntva—conciliation and measured speech—seeking a non-escalatory resolution before force. The verse highlights ethical restraint and diplomacy as a first resort.
In the Gandharva episode of the Vana Parva, the Kauravas are in trouble after being confronted and captured by Gandharvas. Duryodhana describes how the Pāṇḍava hero arrives and, despite being capable of fighting, addresses the Gandharvas with soothing words, requesting that they release the Kauravas.