Shloka 31
धृतराष्ट्र–संजय संवादः
Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Sañjaya on Arjuna’s Indraloka report and the political consequences
देवसभामें जब उस महोत्सवकी समाप्ति हुई, तब तुम्हारे पिताकी आज्ञा लेकर सब देवता अपने-अपने भवनको चले गये। शत्रुदमन! इसी प्रकार आपके पितासे विदा लेकर सभी प्रमुख अप्सराएँ तथा दूसरी साधारण अप्सराएँ भी अपने-अपने घरको चली गयीं ।। ततः शक्रेण संदिष्टश्चित्रसेनो ममान्तिकम् । प्राप्त: कमलपत्राक्ष स च मामब्रवीदथ,कमलनयन! तदनन्तर देवराज इन्द्रका संदेश लेकर गन्धर्वप्रवर चित्रसेन मेरे पास आये और इस प्रकार बोले--
tataḥ śakreṇa saṃdiṣṭaś citraseno mamāntikam | prāptaḥ kamalapatrākṣa sa ca mām abravīd atha ||
When that great festival ended in the divine assembly, all the gods, having received your father’s command, went each to his own palace. O subduer of foes, in the same way the chief Apsarases—and the others as well—took leave of your father and returned to their own homes. Then, sent by Śakra, the foremost Gandharva Citrāsena came to me. O lotus-petalled-eyed one, he addressed me thus—
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in divine settings, order (maryādā) and dharmic protocol prevail: beings take leave properly, follow rightful commands, and communication is carried through authorized messengers—highlighting disciplined conduct and respect for legitimate authority.
After the celestial festivities conclude and the gods and apsarases depart with Indra’s permission, Indra sends the Gandharva Citrāsena to Arjuna. Citrāsena arrives and begins to speak, marking a transition to the message or instruction he brings.