Shloka 4
Mātali’s Arrival and Arjuna’s Ascent toward Amarāvatī (मातलिसंयुक्तरथागमनम् तथा इन्द्रलोकगमनारम्भः)
नातप्ततपसा शकयो द्रष्टं नानाहिताग्निना । स लोक कक गं नापि युद्धे पराड्मुखै:,जिन्होंने तपस्या नहीं की है, जो अग्निहोत्रसे दूर रहे हैं तथा जिन्होंने युद्धमें पीठ दिखा दी है, वैसे लोग पुण्यात्माओंके उस लोकका दर्शन भी नहीं कर सकते
nā-tapta-tapasā śakyo draṣṭuṁ nānāhita-agninā | sa lokaḥ kaṁ gaṁ nāpi yuddhe parāṅmukhaiḥ ||
One who has not undergone austerity, who has not maintained the sacred fires of the agnihotra, and who turns his back in battle—such a man cannot even behold that blessed realm of the meritorious.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that higher spiritual or meritorious attainment is linked to disciplined living: (1) tapas (austerity/self-control), (2) fidelity to prescribed sacred duties such as maintaining the ritual fires, and (3) steadfastness and honor in battle—condemning cowardly retreat as ethically disqualifying.
Vaiśampāyana is describing qualifications for reaching or even beholding a virtuous realm. He contrasts the conduct of the disciplined and dutiful with those who neglect austerity and Vedic rites or who turn away in battle, stating that such people do not gain access to that exalted world.