तत आश्शलिष्य त॑ प्रेम्णा मूर्थ्नि चाप्राय पाण्डव: । प्रीत्या परमया युक्तो विस्मयंश्व पुनः पुन:
tata āśliṣya taṁ premṇā mūrdhni cāghrāya pāṇḍavaḥ | prītyā paramayā yukto vismayaṁś ca punaḥ punaḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच— ततः पाण्डवः प्रेम्णा तमाश्लिष्य मूर्ध्नि चाप्राय; परमप्रीतियुक्तो विस्मयंश्च पुनः पुनः।
संजय उवाच
Even amid a battlefield narrative, the epic highlights dharmic humanity: affection, respect, and gratitude are not erased by conflict. The head-kiss (āghrāya mūrdhni) signals reverence and intimate goodwill, reminding that ethical conduct includes tenderness and recognition of bonds.
Sañjaya reports that a Pāṇḍava, overwhelmed with supreme joy, embraces a person and kisses/smells his head in affection, repeatedly expressing amazement—indicating an emotionally charged meeting or recognition within the larger war setting.