Shloka 20
प्राग्ज्योतिषे वज्रदत्त-धनंजय-समागमः
Vajradatta Confronts Dhanaṃjaya at Prāgjyotiṣa
त॑ं पन्नगमिव क्रुद्धं कुरुवीर: स्मयन्निव । प्रीतिपूर्व महाबाहु: प्राणैर्न व्यपरोपयत्,यद्यपि धृतवर्मा सर्पके समान क्रोधमें भरा हुआ था तो भी कुरुवीर महाबाहु अर्जुन प्रेमपूर्वक मुसकराते हुए युद्ध करते थे। उन्होंने उसके प्राण नहीं लिये
taṁ pannagam iva kruddhaṁ kuruvīraḥ smayann iva | prītipūrvaṁ mahābāhuḥ prāṇair na vyaparopayat ||
तं पन्नगमिव क्रुद्धं कुरुवीरः स्मयन्निव । प्रीतिपूर्वं महाबाहुः प्राणैर्न व्यपरोपयत् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous battle, a warrior’s dharma includes self-control: anger in the opponent need not provoke cruelty. Arjuna’s choice not to kill highlights restraint, proportionality, and the ethical possibility of mercy within warfare.
Dhṛtavarmā attacks in furious rage, compared to a serpent. Arjuna, described as a Kuru hero and mighty-armed, continues fighting calmly—almost smiling—and deliberately refrains from taking Dhṛtavarmā’s life.