Mahabharata 7.191.9 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 191, Shloka 9
शुद्धात्मान: शुद्धवृत्ता राजन् स्वर्गपुरस्कृता: । आर्य युद्धमकुर्वन्त परस्परजिगीषव:
śuddhātmānaḥ śuddhavṛttā rājan svargapuraskṛtāḥ | āryaṃ yuddham akurvanta parasparajigīṣavaḥ ||
రాజా! వారి హృదయాలు శుద్ధమైనవి, వారి ఆచారాలు నిర్మలమైనవి. స్వర్గాన్ని లక్ష్యంగా పెట్టుకొని, పరస్పర విజయం కోరుతూ, వారు ఆర్యోచితమైన నియమబద్ధ యుద్ధం చేయసాగారు।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the Mahābhārata repeatedly distinguishes between mere aggression and dharma-governed combat: purity of intent and adherence to honorable norms (“ārya-yuddha”) are presented as ethically significant, and the warriors frame their duty with an eye on the posthumous consequence (svarga).
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the opposing fighters, mutually intent on victory, entered battle with disciplined, ‘noble’ conduct—suggesting a regulated engagement rather than chaotic slaughter—while keeping the ideal of attaining heaven before them.
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