Shloka 183
अग्निभय-प्रसङ्गे मन्दपालस्य शोकः
Mandapāla’s Lament amid the Threat of Fire
आरुरोह तदा पार्थों विमान सुकृती यथा । वह श्रेष्ठ रथ भाँति-भाँतिकी पताकाओंसे सुशोभित हो रहा था। अर्जुनने कमर कस ली, कवच और तलवार बाँध ली, दस्ताने पहन लिये तथा रथकी परिक्रमा और देवताओंको प्रणाम करके वे उसपर आरूढ़ हुए, ठीक वैसे ही, जैसे कोई पुण्यात्मा विमानपर बैठता है
āruroha tadā pārtho vimānaṃ sukṛtī yathā |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Pārtha (Arjuna) mounted the splendid conveyance, just as a man of merit ascends a celestial car. The scene underscores disciplined readiness and reverence: he girded himself, fastened his armour and sword, donned his gloves, circumambulated the chariot, and bowed to the gods before taking his seat—joining martial preparedness with ritual propriety.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dhārmic ideal: even in martial action, one should combine preparedness with humility and reverence—arming oneself responsibly while honoring the divine order through respectful ritual conduct.
Vaiśampāyana narrates Arjuna’s ascent onto a splendid conveyance/chariot. Arjuna first equips himself (armour, sword, gloves), performs a respectful circumambulation of the chariot, offers salutations to the gods, and then mounts—likened to a meritorious person boarding a celestial vimāna.