Shloka 14
अग्निभय-प्रसङ्गे मन्दपालस्य शोकः
Mandapāla’s Lament amid the Threat of Fire
नवमेघप्रतीकाशं ज्वलन्तमिव च श्रिया । अश्रितौ त॑ रथश्रेष्ठ शक्रायुधसमावुभौ,वह रथ नूतन मेघके समान प्रतीत होता था और अपनी दिव्य शोभासे प्रज्वलित-सा हो रहा था। इन्द्र-धनुषके समान कान्तिवाले श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन उस श्रेष्ठ रथके समीप गये
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: navamegha-pratīkāśaṃ jvalantam iva ca śriyā | āśritau tau rathaśreṣṭhaṃ śakrāyudha-samāv ubhau ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The foremost chariot appeared like a fresh rain-cloud and seemed to blaze with splendor. Both of them—Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna—approached and took their place by that excellent chariot, radiant like Indra’s weapon (the rainbow). The scene underscores how rightful endeavor in a great cause is often framed by auspicious signs and divine-like brilliance, elevating the warriors’ resolve and sense of duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how noble action and duty (dharma) are often accompanied—at least in epic narration—by signs of auspicious brilliance, suggesting moral elevation and divine favor around a righteous undertaking.
Vaiśampāyana describes an exceptionally splendid chariot, likened to a fresh rain-cloud and glowing with beauty; Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna then approach that chariot, their radiance compared to Indra’s weapon (often understood as the rainbow).