Shloka 17

Ghaṭotkaca’s Conveyance to Badarī and Entry into the Nara-Nārāyaṇa Āśrama (घटोत्कच-वाहनम्; नरनारायणाश्रम-प्रवेशः)

Devanagari script

पठ्यमानेषु मन्त्रेषु शान्त्यर्थ परमर्षिभि: । स्पृश्यमाना करै: शीतैः: पाण्डवैश्व मुहुर्मुहु:,महर्षियोंद्वारा शान्तिके लिये मन्त्रपाठ होते समय पाण्डवोंने अपने शीतल हाथोंसे बार- बार द्रौपदीके अंगोंको सहलाया

Transliteration

paṭhyamāneṣu mantreṣu śāntyarthaṁ paramarṣibhiḥ | spṛśyamānā karaiḥ śītaiḥ pāṇḍavaiś ca muhur muhuḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: While the great seers were reciting mantras intended to bring peace, the Pāṇḍavas again and again touched her with their cool hands, gently soothing her body to calm distress and restore well-being.

Word by Word

पठ्यमानेषुwhile being recited

मन्त्रेषुin the mantras

शान्त्यर्थम्for the sake of pacification/peace

परमर्षिभिःby the great sages

स्पृश्यमानाbeing touched/caressed

करैःwith hands

शीतैःcool

पाण्डवैःby the Pandavas

चand

मुहुःagain and again

मुहुःrepeatedly

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśaṃpāyana

Pāṇḍavas

Paramarṣis (great sages)

Mantras (śānti-mantras)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Peace is pursued through both sacred means (śānti-mantras recited by sages) and humane action (the Pāṇḍavas’ repeated, gentle soothing). The verse highlights dharma as compassionate responsibility, not ritual alone.

What is happening in the narrative?

As great sages recite pacificatory mantras for relief and calm, the Pāṇḍavas repeatedly touch and soothe the afflicted person with their cool hands, reinforcing the calming, healing intent of the rite.