Mahabharata — Vana Parva, Shloka 2
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
अभिवादयमान त॑ मूर्ध्न्युपाप्राय पाण्डवम् । हर्षगद्गदया वाचा प्रद्ृष्टो$र्जुनमब्रवीत्
abhivādayamānaṁ taṁ mūrdhny upāghrāya pāṇḍavam | harṣa-gadgadayā vācā pradṛṣṭo 'rjunam abravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, bow in reverence, Yudhiṣṭhira was filled with joy. He drew him close, affectionately smelled his head, and, his voice trembling with happiness, spoke to Arjuna—an intimate gesture that reveals the brothers’ love, respect, and dharmic bond even amid hardship.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic kinship: respect shown by the younger (Arjuna’s reverent salutation) and affectionate responsibility shown by the elder (Yudhiṣṭhira’s tender gesture and emotionally sincere speech). It models how duty and love coexist, especially in times of exile and strain.
Arjuna approaches and salutes. Yudhiṣṭhira, delighted to see him, draws him close, smells his head in affection, and begins speaking with a voice choked by joy—signaling reunion, relief, and the strengthening of resolve among the Pāṇḍavas.