Shloka 20
गदायुद्ध-समारम्भः
Commencement of the Mace-Duel Proceedings
नृत्ये गीते च कुशलो देवब्राह्मणपूजित: । प्रकर्ता कलहानां च नित्यं च कलहप्रिय:,वे नृत्य-गीतमें कुशल, देवताओं तथा ब्राह्मणोंसे सम्मानित, कलह करानेवाले तथा सदैव कलहके प्रेमी हैं
nṛtye gīte ca kuśalo devabrāhmaṇapūjitaḥ | prakartā kalahānāṃ ca nityaṃ ca kalahapriyaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: He is skilled in dance and song, honored by the gods and by brāhmaṇas; yet he is also one who provokes quarrels and is ever fond of strife. The verse underscores a moral contrast: refined accomplishments and social/religious honor can coexist with a disruptive, conflict-seeking disposition.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical warning: cultural refinement, talent, and even religious/social honor do not automatically imply good character. A person may be celebrated for skills and patronage yet still be morally flawed if they habitually foment conflict.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a person’s traits in a mixed appraisal—praising proficiency in performing arts and noting that he is honored by devas and brāhmaṇas, while simultaneously condemning his tendency to instigate and relish quarrels—thereby framing a character assessment relevant to the tensions of the war context.