Shloka 41
रक्षत्विदानीं सामात्यो यदि शक्तो$सि पार्षतम् । ग्रस्तमाचार्य पुत्रेण क्रुद्धेन हतबन्धुना,जिसके पिता मारे गये हैं, वह आचार्यपुत्र अश्वत्थामा आज कुपित होकर धृष्टद्युम्नको कालका ग्रास बनाना चाहता है। अस्त्र त्यागकर निहत्थे हुए गुरुदेवको अधर्मपूर्वक मरवाकर अब आप मन्त्रियोंसहित उसके सामने जाइये और यदि शक्ति हो तो धृष्टद्युम्नकी रक्षा कीजिये
rakṣatv idānīṁ sāmātyo yadi śakto 'si pārṣatam | grastam ācārya-putreṇa kruddhena hata-bandhunā ||
रक्षत्विदानीं सामात्यो यदि शक्तोऽसि पार्षतम्। ग्रस्तमाचार्यपुत्रेण क्रुद्धेन हतबन्धुना॥ अस्त्रत्यागेन निहत्थं गुरुं अधर्मेण घातयित्वा, इदानीं तस्य पुरतः सामात्यो गत्वा यदि शक्तोऽसि धृष्टद्युम्नं परिरक्ष।
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral recoil of adharma in war: when a revered teacher is brought down through unrighteous means, it fuels vengeance and escalates violence. It also frames responsibility—those implicated in wrongdoing must face its consequences and cannot evade the duty to protect their own.
Arjuna challenges the opposing leader to go with his advisers and defend Dhṛṣṭadyumna, who is being overpowered by Aśvatthāmā. Aśvatthāmā is described as furious after the loss of his kinsmen and intent on killing Dhṛṣṭadyumna, especially in the wake of Droṇa’s controversial death.