Shloka 12
Mātali’s Arrival and Arjuna’s Ascent toward Amarāvatī (मातलिसंयुक्तरथागमनम् तथा इन्द्रलोकगमनारम्भः)
नक्षत्रमार्ग विपुलं सुरवीथीति विश्रुतम् इन्द्राज्ञया ययौ पार्थ: स्तूयमान: समन्ततः,कहीं उन्हें आशीर्वाद मिलता और कहीं स्तुति-प्रशंसा प्राप्त होती थी। स्थान-स्थानपर दिव्य वाद्योकी मधुर ध्वनिसे उनका स्वागत हो रहा था। इस प्रकार महाबाहु अर्जुन शंख और दुन्दुभियोंके गम्भीर नादसे गूँजते हुए 'सुरवीथी” नामसे प्रसिद्ध विस्तृत नक्षत्र-मार्गपर चलने लगे। इन्द्रकी आज्ञासे कुन्तीकुमारका सब ओर स्तवन हो रहा था और इस प्रकार वे गन्तव्य मार्गपर बढ़ते चले जा रहे थे
nakṣatramārgaṁ vipulaṁ suravīthīti viśrutam | indrājñayā yayau pārthaḥ stūyamānaḥ samantataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By Indra’s command, Pārtha (Arjuna) proceeded along the broad celestial track of the stars, renowned as “Suravīthī.” As he went, he was praised on all sides—welcomed with blessings and hymns—so that his journey became not merely a passage through space, but a public affirmation of divine sanction and earned honor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Honor and public praise are portrayed as meaningful when grounded in rightful authority and merit: Arjuna’s progress is ‘by Indra’s command,’ suggesting that recognition is ethically weighty when aligned with dharmic approval rather than mere flattery.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna, under Indra’s instruction, travels along the vast celestial route called Suravīthī (the star-path), while being praised from all directions—indicating a divinely endorsed passage through the heavens.