Shloka 23
चित्रसेन-समागमः / The Engagement with Citrasena and the Gandharvas
देवो मनुष्यो गन्धर्वो युवा चापि स्वलंकृतः । द्रव्यवानभिरूपो वा न मेडन्य: पुरुषो मत:,“देवता, मनुष्य, गन्धर्व, युवक, बड़ी सजधजवाला धनवान् अथवा परम सुन्दर कैसा ही पुरुष क्यों न हो, मेरा मन पाण्डवोंके सिवा और कहीं नहीं जाता
devo manuṣyo gandharvo yuvā cāpi svalaṅkṛtaḥ | dravyavān abhirūpo vā na me 'nyo puruṣo mataḥ ||
قال فايشَمبايانا: «سواء أكان إلهًا أم إنسانًا أم غندرفا، أو فتىً بطلًا مزدانًا؛ وسواء أكان ذا مالٍ أو بالغَ الحُسن—فلا رجلَ غيرُ الباندافا يَقبله قلبي. إن قلبي لا يميل إلى جهةٍ إلا إليهم».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External excellence—divinity, beauty, youth, ornamentation, or wealth—does not by itself win true esteem; the speaker’s mind is drawn instead to the Pāṇḍavas, implying a preference for inner worth and dharmic character over mere appearance or status.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a strong declaration of preference is voiced: regardless of how impressive another person may be, the speaker’s attachment and approval remain fixed on the Pāṇḍavas, highlighting their moral and personal magnetism within the story.