Shloka 41
Duryodhana-vadha-pratikriyā: Harṣa, Nindā, and Kṛṣṇa’s Nīti-vyākhyā (Śalya-parva 60)
(अर्जुनो5पि महाबाहुरप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना । नोवाच वचन किंचिद् भ्रातरं, साध्वसाधु वा ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
arjuno 'pi mahābāhur aprītenāntarātmanā |
novāca vacanaṃ kiñcid bhrātaraṃ sādhv asādhu vā ||
bhīmaseno 'pi hatvā yuddhe tava putram amarṣaṇaḥ |
abhivādya agrataḥ sthitvā samprahṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ ||
三阇耶曰：大臂阿周那内心不悦，却对兄长一言不发，既不称善，亦不责非。然忿烈的毗摩军在战场上杀死了你的儿子后，甚为欢喜；他向坚战顶礼，并合掌立于其前。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contrasting moral-psychological responses to violence done in the name of duty: Arjuna’s inward displeasure and restraint in speech suggest ethical reflection and self-control, while Bhima’s exuberant triumph shows how victory can inflame pride. Together they point to the dharmic challenge of acting in war without losing inner balance.
After Bhima kills one of Dhritarashtra’s sons on the battlefield, he joyfully approaches Yudhishthira, bows, and stands with folded hands. Arjuna, however, remains silent toward his brother, neither praising nor blaming him, indicating inner unease about the act and its consequences.