Shloka 245
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि घोषयात्रापर्वणि गन्धर्वपराभवे पजञ्चचत्वारिंशदधिकद्धिशततमो<5 ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi ghoṣayātrāparvaṇi gandharvaparābhave pañcacatvāriṃśad-adhika-dviśatatamo 'dhyāyaḥ
So endet im Śrī Mahābhārata, innerhalb des Vana Parva, im Abschnitt über den Viehzug (Ghoṣa-yātrā), in der Episode von der Niederlage der Gandharvas, das zweihundertfünfundvierzigste Kapitel. Dies ist der Kolophon, der den Abschluss des Kapitels kennzeichnet und es in den größeren Erzählbogen einordnet, in dem Hochmut und Aggression durch eine überlegene Macht gezügelt werden — und die ethische Lehre hervortritt, dass Macht ohne Selbstbeschränkung Demütigung und Zurechtweisung heraufbeschwört.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a chapter-ending colophon, the line itself teaches indirectly by framing the episode: the ‘Gandharvas’ defeat’ within the Ghoṣa-yātrā context highlights how arrogance and coercive intent can be overturned, reinforcing the dharmic value of restraint and humility.
This is not a narrative verse but a closing marker: it announces that the chapter has concluded and identifies its placement—Vana Parva, Ghoṣa-yātrā section, the episode concerning the Gandharvas’ defeat.