Shloka 23
Mātali’s Arrival and Arjuna’s Ascent toward Amarāvatī (मातलिसंयुक्तरथागमनम् तथा इन्द्रलोकगमनारम्भः)
ततः प्रेम्णा वृत्रशत्रुरर्जुनस्य शुभं मुखम् | पस्पर्श पुण्यगन्धेन करेण परिसान्त्वयन्,इसके बाद वृत्रासुरके शत्रु इन्द्रने पवित्र गन्धयुक्त हाथसे बड़े प्रेमके साथ अर्जुनको सब प्रकारसे आश्वासन देते हुए उनके सुन्दर मुखका स्पर्श किया
tataḥ premṇā vṛtraśatrur arjunasya śubhaṁ mukham | pasparśa puṇyagandhena kareṇa parisāntvayan |
Then Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, affectionately touched Arjuna’s auspicious face with his hand fragrant with sacred perfume, soothing and reassuring him in every way.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Authority and strength are ideally expressed with compassion: Indra’s affectionate, sanctifying touch models how divine or royal power should reassure and protect the worthy, reinforcing courage without arrogance.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Indra (identified by the epithet ‘slayer of Vṛtra’) lovingly touches Arjuna’s face with a sacredly perfumed hand, consoling him and giving him confidence and approval.