Shloka 6
Omens in the Kuru Host and Droṇa’s Recognition of Arjuna (क्लीबवेषधारी पार्थ-परिज्ञानम्)
वैशम्पायन उवाच सतां दृष्टवा विशालाक्षीं राजपुत्रीं सखी तथा । प्रहसन्नब्रवीद् राजन् किमागमनमित्युत,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! विशाल नेत्रोंवाली अपनी सखी राजकुमारी उत्तराकी ओर देखकर अर्जुनने हँसते हुए जब उससे अपने पास आनेका कारण पूछा, तब वह राजपुत्री नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनके समीप जा अपना प्रेम प्रकट करती हुई सखियोंके बीचमें इस प्रकार बोली--
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
sa tāṃ dṛṣṭvā viśālākṣīṃ rājaputrīṃ sakhīṃ tathā |
prahasann abravīd rājan kim āgamanam ity uta ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O King (Janamejaya), seeing that wide-eyed princess—his companion—Arjuna, smiling, asked her, “What brings you here?” The scene underscores a courteous, non-threatening exchange in which speech is restrained and respectful, fitting the concealed life of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s court and the ethical need to avoid suspicion while maintaining propriety.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and courteous speech: even in potentially delicate situations, one should speak gently and appropriately, especially when circumstances (like living incognito) demand careful conduct.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna, noticing the wide-eyed princess (Uttarā), smiles and asks why she has come—setting up the ensuing exchange in Virāṭa’s court during the Pāṇḍavas’ concealed year.