Khāṇḍava-dāha: Strategic containment and Indra’s rain (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 217)
एवं स कथयज्नेव निद्रया जनमेजय । कौन्तेयो5पि हृतस्तस्मिन् शयने स्वर्गसंनिभे,जनमेजय! इस प्रकार बात करते-करते अर्जुन उस स्वर्गसदृश सुखदायिनी शय्यापर सो गये
evaṁ sa kathayann eva nidrayā janamejaya | kaunteyo 'pi hṛtas tasmin śayane svargasaṁnibhe ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „So geschah es, während er weiterredete, o Janamejaya, dass der Schlaf ihn übermannte. Selbst der Sohn der Kuntī, in die Ruhe hineingezogen, schlief auf jener wonnigen, dem Himmel gleichenden Lagerstatt ein.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse underscores a humane ethical rhythm within epic narration: even amid weighty events and discourse, the body’s limits are honored. Rest is not portrayed as negligence but as a natural, rightful pause—often enabled by comfort and hospitality—supporting steadiness and clarity for what follows.
Vaiśampāyana tells King Janamejaya that while speaking, Arjuna (Kaunteya) is gradually overcome by sleep and falls asleep on a splendid, heaven-like couch. The scene functions as a quiet transition, marking a pause in action and conversation.