Shloka 1
अत--#क्रत द्वात्रिशर्दाधिकद्विशततमो< ध्याय: मन्दपालका अपने बाल-बच्चोंसे मिलना वैशम्पायन उवाच मन्दपालो5पि कौरव्य चिन्तयामास पुत्रकान् | उक्त्वापि च स तिग्मांशुं नैव शर्माधिगच्छति,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! मन्दपाल भी अपने पुत्रोंकी चिन्तामें पड़े थे। यद्यपि वे (उनकी रक्षाके लिये) अग्निदेवसे प्रार्थना कर चुके थे, तो भी उन्हें शान्ति नहीं मिलती थी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | mandapālo 'pi kauravya cintayāmāsa putrakān | uktvāpi ca sa tigmāṃśuṃ naiva śarmādhigacchati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O descendant of the Kurus, Mandapāla too was consumed with anxiety for his young sons. Even though he had already appealed to the blazing Fire-god for their protection, his mind could not attain peace.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after taking the ‘right’ step—seeking divine protection—human responsibility and attachment can keep the mind restless; the verse highlights the ethical tension between faith in higher order and the natural duty-bound anxiety of a parent.
Vaiśampāyana tells Janamejaya that Mandapāla is worried about his sons; although he has already entreated Agni for their safety, he still cannot find inner peace.