अलंबलवधः (Alaṃbala-vadhaḥ) / The Slaying of Alaṃbala and the Advance toward Karṇa
मानयंस्तव पुत्रस्य बाल्यात् प्रभति सौहृदम्
mānayaṁs tava putrasya bālyāt prabhṛti sauhṛdam
నీ కుమారునితో బాల్యకాలం నుంచీ ఉన్న స్నేహాన్ని గౌరవిస్తూ…
संजय उवाच
The line foregrounds an ethical motive often invoked in the epic: enduring bonds formed in childhood can compel acts of loyalty and deference, even amid the moral chaos of war. It hints at how personal relationships shape choices and responsibilities.
Sañjaya continues his report to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, introducing a character’s conduct as being driven by respect for the long-standing friendship with Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son, established since childhood.