Shloka 23
Ādi-parva, Adhyāya 187: Drupada’s Inquiry and the Dharma Debate on Draupadī’s Marriage
चैलानि विव्यधुस्तत्र ब्राह्मणाश्न सहस्रशः । विलक्षितास्ततश्नक्रुर्ठाहाकारांश्व॒ सर्वश: । न्यपतंश्वात्र नभस: समन्तात् पुष्पवृष्टय:,सहसोरं ब्राह्मण (हर्षमें भरकर) वहाँ अपने दुपट्टे हिलाने लगे (मानो अर्जुनकी विजय- ध्वजा फहरा रहे हों), फिर तो जो लोग (लक्ष्यवेध करनेमें असमर्थ हो, हार मान चुके थे) वे राजा लोग सब ओरसे हाहाकार करने लगे। उस रंगभूमिमें आकाशसे सब ओर फूलोंकी वर्षा हो रही थी। बाजा बजानेवाले लोग सैकड़ों अंगोंवाली तुरही आदि बजाने लगे। सूत और मागधगण वहाँ मीठे स्वरसे यशोगान करने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
caīlāni vivyadhus tatra brāhmaṇāś ca sahasraśaḥ |
vilakṣitās tataś cakrur hāhākārāṁś ca sarvaśaḥ |
nyapataṁś cātra nabhasaḥ samantāt puṣpavṛṣṭayaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: There, thousands of brāhmaṇas waved their garments in excitement, as if raising victory-banners. Those who were confounded and had failed to hit the mark then raised cries of dismay on every side. And upon that arena, from the sky all around, showers of flowers fell—signs of acclaim for the feat and of the public recognition that true excellence, when displayed openly, commands honor.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how public life in the epic recognizes merit: excellence displayed in a righteous contest draws communal honor (brāhmaṇas rejoicing) and auspicious signs (flower-showers), while failure brings dismay—underscoring the social ethic of rewarding skill and achievement when witnessed and validated by the community.
In a public arena, learned brāhmaṇas enthusiastically wave their garments in celebration, while those who are confused or unable to match the feat cry out in distress; simultaneously, flowers are said to rain from the sky as an auspicious sign of approval.