Shloka 40
यथा वृत्रवधे देवा: पुरा शक्रं महर्षय: । इससे कुन्तीकुमारोंको बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुई। जैसे पूर्वकालमें वृत्रासुरका वध होनेपर सम्पूर्ण देवताओं और महर्षियोंने इन्द्रको सब ओरसे घेर लिया था, उसी प्रकार पाण्डव भी युधिष्ठिरको चारों ओरसे घेरकर खड़े हो गये ।। ततोअन्यद् धनुरादाय तव पुत्र: प्रतापवान्
sañjaya uvāca | yathā vṛtravadhē dēvāḥ purā śakraṃ maharṣayaḥ | tathā kuntīkumarāṇāṃ mahān harṣaḥ samabhavat | yathā vṛtrāsuravadhe samastā dēvā maharṣayaś ca indraṃ sarvataḥ paryavārayann evaṃ pāṇḍavā api yudhiṣṭhiraṃ sarvataḥ parivārya tasthuḥ || tato 'nyad dhanur ādāya tava putraḥ pratāpavān ||
Sañjaya said: Just as, in ancient times after the slaying of Vṛtra, the gods and great seers surrounded Śakra (Indra) on every side, so too the sons of Kuntī were filled with great joy; the Pāṇḍavas stood encircling Yudhiṣṭhira from all directions. Then your valiant son took up another bow.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of rallying around rightful leadership: the Pāṇḍavas’ protective solidarity around Yudhiṣṭhira is likened to the gods and seers honoring Indra after a decisive victory, suggesting that victory should culminate in ordered support, restraint, and reaffirmation of dharmic authority rather than disorderly triumph.
Sañjaya reports that the Pāṇḍavas, delighted, surround Yudhiṣṭhira as a mark of protection and acclaim, using the mythic precedent of Indra being surrounded after Vṛtra’s death; immediately after, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (a Kaurava hero in the scene) takes up another bow, indicating the battle’s continuation.