Shloka 16
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
दूरादेव तु तां प्रेक्ष्य राजपुत्रो5भ्य भाषत । त्वया सारथिना पार्थ: खाण्डवेडग्निमतर्पयत्,राजकुमार उत्तरने बृहन्नलाको दूरसे ही देखकर इस प्रकार कहा--“बृहन्नले! अर्जुनने तुम्हें सारथि बनाकर खाण्डववनमें अग्निको तृप्त किया था। इतना ही नहीं, कुन्तीपुत्र धनंजयने तुम-जैसे सारथिके सहयोगसे ही समूची पृथ्वीपर विजय पायी है।' तुम्हारे विषयमें यह बात सैरन्ध्री कह रही थी, क्योंकि वह पाण्डवोंको अच्छी तरह जानती है
dūrād eva tu tāṁ prekṣya rājaputro ’bhyabhāṣata | tvayā sārathinā pārthaḥ khāṇḍave ’gnim atarpayat ||
Seeing her from a distance, the prince addressed her: “O Bṛhannalā, with you as his charioteer, Pārtha (Arjuna) once satisfied the Fire-god in the Khāṇḍava forest.” The statement underscores the prince’s recognition of Bṛhannalā’s proven competence and the moral weight of past deeds: true capability is known by tested service and by association with righteous, world-protecting action.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Competence and trust are established through proven service: the prince cites a well-known righteous feat (assisting Arjuna in the Khāṇḍava episode) to justify confidence in Bṛhannalā’s ability, implying that merit is recognized by deeds rather than outward appearance.
Prince Uttara sees Bṛhannalā from a distance and speaks to her, recalling that Arjuna once had her as charioteer when Agni was gratified in the Khāṇḍava forest—an allusion that elevates Bṛhannalā’s stature and prepares the ground for the coming martial episode in Virāṭa’s kingdom.