Shloka 2
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
अभिवादयमान त॑ मूर्ध्न्युपाप्राय पाण्डवम् । हर्षगद्गदया वाचा प्रद्ृष्टो$र्जुनमब्रवीत्,पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनको प्रणाम करते देख युधिष्छिर बड़े प्रसन्न हुए एवं उनका मस्तक सूँघकर हर्षगद्गद-वाणीमें इस प्रकार बोले--
abhivādayamānaṁ taṁ mūrdhny upāghrāya pāṇḍavam | harṣa-gadgadayā vācā pradṛṣṭo 'rjunam abravīt ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: لما رأى يُدْهِشْتِهيرا أرجونا ابن باندو ينحني تحيةً بخشوع، امتلأ قلبه فرحًا. فقرّبه إليه، وشمَّ رأسه شَمًّا حنونًا، ثم خاطب أرجونا بصوتٍ يرتجف من السرور—وهي لفتةٌ حميمة تُبرز محبة الإخوة، والاحترام، ورباط الدارما الذي يجمعهم حتى في قلب الشدائد.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kinship: respect shown by the younger (Arjuna’s reverent salutation) and affectionate responsibility shown by the elder (Yudhiṣṭhira’s tender gesture and emotionally sincere speech). It models how duty and love coexist, especially in times of exile and strain.
Arjuna approaches and salutes. Yudhiṣṭhira, delighted to see him, draws him close, smells his head in affection, and begins speaking with a voice choked by joy—signaling reunion, relief, and the strengthening of resolve among the Pāṇḍavas.