Shloka 9
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण सब प्रकारके सिद्धान्तोंको जाननेवाले थे। उन्होंने अर्जुनको विचित्र पद, अर्थ एवं सिद्धान्तोंसे युक्त बड़ी विलक्षण एवं मधुर कथाएँ सुनायीं ।।
putraśokābhisantāptaṁ jñātīnāṁ ca sahasraśaḥ | kathābhiḥ śamayāmāsa pārthaṁ śaurir janārdanaḥ ||
Si Arjuna, anak ni Kuntī, ay tila sinusunog ng dalamhati sa pagkamatay ng kanyang anak, at nabibigatan din sa lungkot sa pagpanaw ng libu-libong kamag-anak. Noon, si Śauri Janārdana (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), sa pamamagitan ng maraming salaysay na may aral at pampalubag-loob, ay pinatahimik at inaliw si Pārtha—ibinabalik siya sa katatagan sa gitna ng bigat na moral at damdaming iniwan ng digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights compassionate dharmic counsel: after catastrophic violence, even a righteous victor may be overwhelmed by grief and moral weight. Kṛṣṇa responds not with harsh command but with calming, meaning-giving narratives—showing that ethical recovery requires steadiness of mind, perspective on duty and loss, and humane support for those traumatized by war.
After the great war, Arjuna is deeply distressed—both by the death of his son and by the slaughter of countless relatives. Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kṛṣṇa (Śauri Janārdana) comforts him by telling various stories, thereby pacifying Arjuna’s grief and restoring composure.