Shloka 396
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
प्रसाद कुरु धर्मज्ञ मा मन्युवशमन्वगा: । “यह अबोध बालक है, कुछ नहीं जानता है। इसके भाई-बन्धु नष्ट हो चुके हैं। अतः धर्मज्ञ अर्जुन! तुम इसके ऊपर कृपा करो। क्रोधके वशीभूत न होओ
prasāda kuru dharmajña mā manyuvaśam anvagāḥ |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O Arjuna na nakaaalam ng dharma, magpakita ng habag; huwag magpasakop sa galit. Isa lamang itong musmos na walang muwang, walang nalalaman. Nalipol na ang kanyang mga kapatid at kamag-anak. Kaya, O Arjuna na nakaaalam ng dharma, kaawaan mo siya; huwag magpaalipin sa poot.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a context shaped by violence and loss, dharma requires restraint: anger must not govern action, and compassion should be shown to the ignorant and bereaved—especially to a helpless child.
Vaiśampāyana urges Arjuna to be merciful and not act in anger, emphasizing that the person before him is an ignorant child whose family has already been destroyed, and therefore deserves clemency rather than wrath.