Shloka 24
च्युतं तु गौतमं स्थानात् समीक्ष्य कुरुनन्दन: । नाविध्यत् परवीरध्नो रक्षमाणो5स्य गौरवम्
cyutaṃ tu gautamaṃ sthānāt samīkṣya kurunandanaḥ | nāvidhyat paravīradhno rakṣamāṇo 'sya gauravam ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: Vendo Gautama (Kṛpācārya) caído de sua posição, Arjuna—o deleite dos Kurus, matador de heróis inimigos—não o atingiu com flechas, pois quis resguardar a honra do ancião mesmo em combate.
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.