Shloka 26
Kṛṣṇa–Arjuna Saṃvāda in Indraprastha: Consolation, Legitimation, and Leave for Dvārakā (आश्वमेधिकपर्व, अध्याय १५)
न हि तस्याप्रियं कुर्या प्राणत्यागे5प्युपस्थिते । कुतो गन्तुं महाबाहो पुरीं द्वारावतीं प्रति
na hi tasyāpriyaṃ kuryā prāṇatyāge ’py upasthite | kuto gantuṃ mahābāho purīṃ dvārāvatīṃ prati ||
Chớ bao giờ làm điều khiến Người không vừa lòng, dẫu khoảnh khắc phải bỏ mạng đã kề bên. Hỡi bậc dũng sĩ cánh tay mạnh mẽ, vậy thì làm sao ngươi có thể hướng về thành Dvāravatī mà đi?
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical maxim: one should not act against a respected person’s wishes or welfare even under extreme pressure, including the threat of death. It uses a rhetorical question to reinforce steadfast loyalty and restraint in action.
Vāyudeva addresses a hero as “mahābāho,” advising him that it would be improper to do something displeasing to ‘him’ (contextually, a revered figure) even at life’s end; therefore, going toward Dvāravatī is presented as unthinkable or unjustified in the given situation.