Shloka 8
बभ्रुवाहन-धनंजययोः संग्रामः
Babhruvāhana and Dhanaṃjaya’s engagement at Maṇipūra
इत्युक्तो5हं नरेन्द्रेण न हन्तव्या नूपा इति | कथं तन्न मृषेदं स्याद् धर्मराजवच: शुभम्
ity ukto 'haṁ narendreṇa na hantavyā nṛpā iti | kathaṁ tan na mṛṣedaṁ syād dharmarāja-vacaḥ śubham | provāca vākyaṁ dharmajñaḥ saindhavān yuddha-durmadān |
毗湿摩波耶那说：“当国王如此训示我——‘诸王不可杀’——我便思忖：‘达摩罗阇的吉祥之言怎会落空？’为求一策，使诸侯不致被杀而又能奉行由提施提罗之命，通晓正法的阿周那便对那些战意酣狂的信度勇士如此说道。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as fidelity to a righteous command while avoiding needless harm: Arjuna seeks a solution that preserves the king’s ethical injunction (‘do not kill rulers’) and also ensures that Dharmarāja’s word remains true—showing that moral action in war requires restraint and thoughtful means, not mere violence.
After receiving a royal instruction that kings should not be slain, Arjuna reflects on how to carry out Yudhiṣṭhira’s order without making it false. He then turns to address the Saindhava warriors, described as arrogant from battle, preparing to propose or announce a course of action consistent with dharma.