Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 15
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय १२५: दुर्योधनस्य प्रत्युत्तरम्
Duryodhana’s Reply in the Kuru Assembly
“तथा तुम्हें पास बिठाकर रत्न एवं ओषधियोंसे युक्त लाल हथेलीवाले हाथसे तुम्हारी पीठको धीरे-धीरे सहलायें ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca | śālaskandho mahābāhus tvāṃ svajano vṛkodaraḥ | sāmnābhivadatāṃ cāpi śāntaye bharatarṣabha ||
毗舍波耶那说：“就这样，使他近旁就坐，以那含宝珠与药草、掌色殷红之手，徐徐抚摩你的背。又有毗摩军——肩阔如娑罗树干，臂力雄伟，乃你至亲，号曰‘狼腹’（Vṛkodara）——亦将为和平之故，将你拥入怀中，以柔和调解之辞与汝言谈，婆罗多族之雄牛啊。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest warrior is urged to adopt gentleness and conciliatory speech when the goal is śānti (peace). Strength is framed as serving dharma through restraint and reconciliation, not merely through force.
Vaiśampāyana describes how Bhīma—despite his formidable build and reputation—will speak soothingly to the addressed person as part of efforts to secure peace and avert escalation toward war.