Shloka 173
कर्णपर्व — पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः | Karṇa Parva, Chapter 15: Pāṇḍya’s Advance and Aśvatthāmā’s Counterstroke
केशवार्जुनयोर्मूर्थ्नि प्राह वाचाशरीरिणी । सिद्धों तथा देवर्षियोंके समुदायों एवं चारणोंने भी अर्जुनकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की। देवताओंकी दुन्दुभियाँ बज उठीं
keśavārjunayor mūrdhni prāha vācāśarīriṇī | siddhāḥ tathā devarṣigaṇāḥ samudāyāś ca cāraṇāś ca arjunasya bhūri-bhūri praśaṃsām akurvan | devānāṃ dundubhayo nanāduḥ, ākāśāt śrīkṛṣṇārjunayoḥ mastakeṣu puṣpavarṣo babhūva, tathā cākāśavāṇī babhāṣe—
Sañjaya said: Then a bodiless voice spoke above the heads of Keśava and Arjuna. The Siddhas, the divine seers, and the assembled hosts of Cāraṇas praised Arjuna again and again. The gods’ kettledrums resounded; from the sky flowers rained down upon the heads of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, and thus the heavenly proclamation was heard—
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The scene frames Arjuna’s action as dharmically sanctioned: when righteous effort is aligned with divine guidance (Keśava), the cosmos itself—through seers, celestial bards, and heavenly signs—confirms moral legitimacy and strengthens resolve amid war.
After a significant martial moment, a heavenly voice is heard above Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna; Siddhas, divine seers, and Cāraṇas extol Arjuna, celestial drums sound, and flowers rain from the sky—public, supernatural signs of approval and auspiciousness.