Shloka 24
Arjuna’s Concentrated Archery and the Rout of the Kaurava Mahārathas
Gāṇḍīva-Nirghoṣa Episode
च्युतं तु गौतमं स्थानात् समीक्ष्य कुरुनन्दन: । नाविध्यत् परवीरध्नो रक्षमाणो5स्य गौरवम्
cyutaṃ tu gautamaṃ sthānāt samīkṣya kurunandanaḥ | nāvidhyat paravīradhno rakṣamāṇo 'sya gauravam ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang makita ni Arjuna—ang ligaya ng angkang Kuru, tagapagpuksa ng mga bayaning kaaway—na si Gautama (Kṛpācārya) ay nahulog mula sa kanyang kinalalagyan, hindi niya ito pinana, sapagkat iningatan niya ang dangal ng nakatatanda kahit sa gitna ng digmaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in righteous combat, dharma includes restraint: a warrior should not exploit an opponent’s vulnerable state, especially when the opponent is an honored elder/teacher. Arjuna upholds dignity (gaurava) over easy victory.
During the Virāṭa episode’s battle, Kṛpa (called Gautama) is seen to have fallen from his position. Arjuna notices this and deliberately refrains from shooting him, choosing to preserve Kṛpa’s honor.