Shloka 30
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
एवं ता ब्रुवती: कन्या: सहिता: पाण्डुनन्दन: । प्रत्युवाच हसन् पार्थो मेघदुन्दुभिनि:स्वन:,ऐसा कहती हुई उन सब कन्याओंसे पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनने हँसते हुए मेघ और दुन्दुभिके समान गम्भीर वाणीमें कहा
evaṁ tā bruvatīḥ kanyāḥ sahitāḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ | pratyuvāca hasan pārtho meghadundubhiniḥsvanaḥ ||
As the maidens spoke thus all together, Arjuna, Pāṇḍu’s son—smiling—replied in a voice deep and resonant like thunderclouds and a war-drum.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Measured speech and inner composure are marks of dharma: even when addressed by many at once, Arjuna responds without agitation—smiling, yet speaking with dignified gravity.
A group of maidens speak to Arjuna; the narrator notes that Arjuna, identified by his epithets Pāṇḍunandana and Pārtha, answers them with a calm smile and a deep, resonant voice, setting up his forthcoming response.