Mahabharata 11.12.22 — Stree Parva, Adhyaya 12, Shloka 22
धृतराष्ट्रस्य उपालम्भः तथा पाण्डव-समाश्वासनम् | Dhṛtarāṣṭra Reproved and the Pāṇḍavas Consoled
त॑ विदित्वा गतक्रोधं भीमसेनवधार्दितम् । वासुदेवो वर: पुंसामिदं वचनमत्रवीत्
taṁ viditvā gatakrodhaṁ bhīmasenavadhārditam | vāsudevo varaḥ puṁsām idaṁ vacanam abravīt ||
तं विदित्वा गतक्रोधं भीमसेनवधार्दितम् । वासुदेवो वरः पुंसामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral transition: anger subsides, but the deeper wound of loss remains. It sets up Vāsudeva’s role as a guide, implying that in the aftermath of violence, wise counsel and self-restraint are needed to prevent further harm and to face grief with steadiness.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Vāsudeva observes someone whose rage has cooled but who is still distressed due to Bhīmasena’s killing. In response, Vāsudeva begins to speak, introducing a forthcoming passage of advice within the sorrowful context of the Strī Parva.
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