Shloka 4
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 181 — Svayaṃvara Aftermath: Arjuna–Karna Exchange and Bhīma–Śalya Contest
गन्धर्व उवाच धनंजय निबोधेदं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि । वसिष्ठ प्रति दुर्धर्ष तथा मित्रसहं नृपम्,गन्धर्वने कहा--दुर्धर्ष वीर धनंजय! आप महर्षि वसिष्ठ तथा राजा मित्रसहके विषयमें जो कुछ मुझसे पूछ रहे हैं, उसका समाधान सुनिये
gandharva uvāca: dhanañjaya nibodhedaṃ yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi | vasiṣṭhaṃ prati durdharṣa tathā mitrasahaṃ nṛpam ||
The Gandharva said: “O Dhanañjaya, listen carefully to this. O unconquerable hero, I shall answer what you are asking me—concerning the sage Vasiṣṭha and also King Mitrasaha.”
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethic of attentive inquiry and responsible instruction: a worthy question should be met with a clear, focused answer, especially when it concerns revered sages and the conduct of kings.
A Gandharva responds to Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), acknowledging his question and introducing an explanation about the sage Vasiṣṭha and King Mitrasaha, signaling the start of a related account or clarification.