Shloka 8
Khāṇḍava-dāha: Indra’s Countermeasures and the Nāga Aśvasena’s Escape (आदि पर्व, अध्याय २१८)
तथैव राजा वृष्णीनामुग्रसेन: प्रतापवान् । अनुगीयमानो गन्धर्व: स्त्रीसहस्रसहायवान्,वृष्णिवंशके प्रतापी राजा उमग्रसेन भी वहाँ आमोद-प्रमोद कर रहे थे। उनके पास बहुतसे गन्धर्व गा रहे थे और सहसों स्त्रियाँ उनकी सेवा कर रही थीं
tathaiva rājā vṛṣṇīnām ugrasenāḥ pratāpavān | anugīyamāno gandharvaiḥ strī-sahasra-sahāyavān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In the same manner, the mighty King Ugrasena of the Vṛṣṇis was enjoying himself in festive delight. Gandharvas were singing in his honor, and he was attended by thousands of women—an image of royal prosperity and worldly splendor that frames the courtly atmosphere of the narrative.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily paints a scene rather than stating a doctrine: it highlights the allure and display of royal prosperity—music, attendants, and celebration—often used in the epic as a backdrop against which later ethical choices, duties, and reversals of fortune become more striking.
Vaiśampāyana describes King Ugrasena of the Vṛṣṇis enjoying festivities. Gandharvas sing in praise, and numerous women attend him, emphasizing the grandeur and pleasure of the royal court at that moment.