Shloka 16
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
एवमुक्त: स गन्धर्व: कुन्तीपुत्रो धनंजय: । गन्धर्वान् पुनरेवेदं वचन प्रत्यभाषत,गन्धवोंके ऐसा कहनेपर कुन्तीनन्दन अर्जुनने पुनः उन्हें इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया --
evam uktaḥ sa gandharvaḥ kuntīputro dhanañjayaḥ | gandharvān punar evedaṃ vacanaṃ pratyabhāṣata ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When the Gandharva had spoken thus, Kuntī’s son Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) addressed the Gandharvas once again with these words—signaling a renewed reply in the midst of a tense encounter, where restraint, clarity of speech, and adherence to right conduct are about to be tested.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds disciplined speech and responsible response: even in confrontation, a dharmic person answers deliberately rather than impulsively, preparing the ground for ethical action.
After a Gandharva speaks, Arjuna (Dhanañjaya), son of Kuntī, responds again to the Gandharvas—this line functions as a narrative hinge introducing Arjuna’s forthcoming reply.