Shloka 12
Pradyumna–Śālva Missile-Exchange at Saubha (Āraṇyaka Parva, Adhyāya 18)
दारुकात्मज मैवं त्वं पुनः कार्षी: कथंचन । व्यपयानं रणात् सौते जीवतो मम कहिचित्,कुरुनन्दन! सूतके ऐसा कहनेपर मकरथ्वज प्रद्युम्नने उससे कहा--“दारुककुमार! तू रथको पुनः युद्धभूमिकी ओर लौटा ले चल। सूतपुत्र! आजसे फिर कभी किसी प्रकार भी मेरे जीते-जी रथको रणभूमिसे न लौटाना
Dārukātmaja maivaṁ tvaṁ punaḥ kārṣīḥ kathaṁcana | vyapāyanaṁ raṇāt saute jīvato mama karhi cit, Kurunandana ||
Vāyu nói: “Hỡi con của Dāruka, chớ bao giờ làm điều ấy nữa. Hỡi người đánh xe, khi ta còn sống, tuyệt không lúc nào được rút khỏi chiến địa.”
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse condemns retreat undertaken from weakness or indecision and upholds steadfastness in one’s appointed duty (dharma). When a role is accepted—especially in a righteous conflict—abandoning the field is treated as a breach of honor and responsibility.
Vāyu addresses the charioteer’s side (the son of Dāruka / the sūta) and issues a strict command: do not turn the chariot back from the battlefield while he is alive. It is a forceful reprimand meant to prevent withdrawal and to keep the combatant committed to the fight.