Shloka 26
Śārṅgakānāṃ Avināśaḥ (Why the Śārṅga Birds Were Spared) | शार्ङ्गकानामविनाशः
श्र॒ुत्वा तु पुण्डरीकाक्ष: सम्प्राप्तं स्वं पुरोत्तमम् । अर्जुन पाण्डवश्रेष्ठमिन्द्रप्रस्थगतं तदा,जनमेजय! तत्पश्चात् महारथी पाण्डव मन-ही-मन हर्षविभोर हो उठे और कुन्तीदेवी भी बहुत प्रसन्न हुईं। कमलनयन भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने जब यह सुना कि पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ अर्जुन अपने उत्तम नगर इन्द्रप्रस्थ पहुँच गये हैं, तब वे शुद्धात्मा श्रीकृष्ण एवं बलराम तथा वृष्णि और अन्धकवंशके प्रधान-प्रधान वीर महारथियोंके साथ वहाँ आये
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
śrutvā tu puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ samprāptaṃ svaṃ purottamam |
arjunaṃ pāṇḍavaśreṣṭham indraprasthagataṃ tadā janamejaya ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O Janamejaya, when the lotus-eyed Lord (Kṛṣṇa) heard that Arjuna—the foremost of the Pāṇḍavas—had reached Indraprastha, his own excellent city, he then set out to go there.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic solidarity: when rightful rule is established (the Pāṇḍavas reaching their capital), righteous allies respond with support. Ethical governance is strengthened not only by personal valor but also by dependable relationships and timely assistance.
Vaiśampāyana tells Janamejaya that Kṛṣṇa, described as lotus-eyed, hears the news that Arjuna has arrived at Indraprastha, and then proceeds accordingly—setting the stage for Kṛṣṇa’s supportive involvement with the Pāṇḍavas at their new seat of power.