Shloka 28
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
गन्धर्व उवाच नन्दिन्यामेवं क्रन्दन्त्यां धर्षितायां महामुनि: । न चुक्षुभे तदा धैर्यान्न चचाल धृतव्रत:,गन्धर्व कहता है--अर्जुन! नन्दिनी इस प्रकार अपमानित होकर करुण क्रन्दन कर रही थी, तो भी दृढ़तापूर्वक व्रतका पालन करनेवाले महामुनि वसिष्ठ न तो क्षुब्ध हुए और न धैर्यसे ही विचलित हुए
gandharva uvāca
nandinīyām evaṁ krandantyāṁ dharṣitāyāṁ mahāmuniḥ |
na cukṣubhe tadā dhairyān na cacāla dhṛtavrataḥ ||
The Gandharva said: “O Arjuna, even as Nandinī, violated and humiliated, cried out in anguish, the great sage Vasiṣṭha—steadfast in his vow—did not flare up in agitation, nor did he waver from his composure.”
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as inner steadiness: even when confronted with injustice and the suffering of one’s dependent (Nandinī), the truly disciplined person does not lose self-mastery. Vasiṣṭha’s restraint models ethical strength—responding from vow and discernment rather than anger.
A Gandharva narrates to Arjuna that Nandinī, having been violated and crying in distress, did not provoke Vasiṣṭha into agitation. The sage remains unwavering, emphasizing his firm observance of vows and composure amid provocation.