Shloka 10
Āraṇyaka-parva Adhyāya 44 — Arjuna’s Entry into Nandana and Audience with Indra
दुःशासनवधामर्षी शकुने: सौबलस्य च । ततस्तेनातुलां प्रीतिमुपागम्य क्वचित् क्वचित् । गान्धर्वमतुल नृत्यं वादित्रं चोपलब्धवान्,उन्हें दुःशासन तथा सुबलपुत्र शकुनिके वधके लिये मनमें बड़ा रोष होता था तथा चित्रसेनके सहवाससे कभी-कभी उन्हें अनुपम प्रसन्नता प्राप्त होती थी, जिससे उन्होंने गीत, नृत्य और वाद्यकी उस अनुपम कलाको (पूर्णरूपसे) उपलब्ध कर लिया
duḥśāsana-vadhāmarṣī śakuneḥ saubalasya ca | tataḥ tenātulāṃ prītim upāgamya kvacit kvacit | gāndharvam atulaṃ nṛtyaṃ vāditraṃ copalabdhavān |
Vaiśampāyana said: He burned with fierce resentment at the thought of killing Duḥśāsana and Śakuni, the son of Subala. Yet, at times, by associating with Citraseṇa, he would attain an incomparable joy; and through that companionship he fully mastered the exquisite Gandharva arts—song, dance, and instrumental music.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension: intense anger and vows of retribution can coexist with moments of uplift through noble association and the arts. It suggests that refined company and cultural discipline can temper the mind even amid a life shaped by conflict.
The narrator describes a figure who harbors strong resolve and anger toward killing Duḥśāsana and Śakuni, yet who sometimes experiences exceptional happiness through the company of a Gandharva, thereby gaining mastery of Gandharva performing arts—singing, dancing, and instrumental music.