Shloka 21
Adhyāya 129 — Public Acclaim of the Pāṇḍavas and Duryodhana’s Appeal to Dhṛtarāṣṭra
त॑ दृष्टवा प्रतिबुध्यन्तं पाण्डवं ते भुजड़मा: । सान्त्वयामासुरव्यग्रा वचनं चेदमन्रुवन्,पाण्डुनन्दन भीमको जगा हुआ देख सब नागोंने शान्त-चित्तसे उन्हें आश्वासन दिया और यह बात कही--
taṁ dṛṣṭvā pratibudhyantaṁ pāṇḍavaṁ te bhujagāḥ | sāntvayāmāsur avyagrā vacanaṁ cedam abruvan ||
Seeing the Pāṇḍava awaken, the serpents—now calm and unagitated—reassured him and spoke these words. The scene underscores a moment of restraint and conciliation: even those who might be feared choose soothing speech over harm when the situation allows for peace.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of sāntvana (reassurance/conciliation): even potentially dangerous beings act with composure and choose calming speech, suggesting that restraint and gentle words can avert harm and restore balance.
When the Pāṇḍava regains consciousness, the nāgas observe him awake and, remaining calm, they console him and begin addressing him—marking a shift from danger or uncertainty to dialogue.