Shloka 2
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
कि ते व्यवसितं वीर कौरवाणां विनिग्रहे । किमर्थ च सदारो<यं निगृहीत: सुयोधन:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर परम कान्तिमान् महाधनुर्धर अर्जुनने गन्धर्वोकी सेनाके बीच चित्रसेनसे हँसते हुए पूछा--“वीर! कौरवोंको बंदी बनानेमें तुम्हारा क्या उद्देश्य था? स्त्रियोंसहित दुर्योधनको तुमने किसलिये कैद किया?”
ki te vyavasitaṁ vīra kauravāṇāṁ vinigrahe | kimarthaṁ ca sadāro 'yaṁ nigṛhītaḥ suyodhanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O hero, what was your resolve in subduing the Kauravas? And for what reason was this Suyodhana seized and held captive along with his women?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical inquiry into the intention behind force: restraint or capture is judged not only by power but by purpose (vyavasita). It also highlights the added moral sensitivity when women are involved, prompting scrutiny of whether the act aligns with dharma and honorable conduct.
In the narration, a speaker questions a hero about his motive in subduing the Kauravas and specifically asks why Suyodhana (Duryodhana) has been taken captive along with his women, setting up an explanation of the circumstances and intent behind the detention.