Shloka 36
इन्द्रस्य पाण्डवैः समागमः
Indra’s Meeting with the Pāṇḍavas
अपराद्धमिवात्मानं मनन््यमाना महारथा: । तस्थु: प्राउजलय: सर्वे परिवार्य धनेश्वरम्,धर्मज्ञ धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठि, नकुल और सहदेव--ये महारथी महामना पाण्डव भगवान् कुबेरको प्रणाम करके अपनेको अपराधी-सा मानते हुए उन्हें सब ओरसे घेरकर हाथ जोड़े खड़े रहे
aparāddham ivātmānaṃ manyamānā mahārathāḥ | tasthuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve parivārya dhaneśvaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The great chariot-warriors, judging themselves as though they had committed an offence, stood with palms joined. Surrounding the Lord of Wealth (Kubera) on all sides, they remained there in reverent restraint—an ethical posture of humility before a divine authority and a tacit acknowledgement that power must be approached with dharma and self-scrutiny.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mighty should approach higher authority with humility and moral self-examination; reverence (añjali) and restraint signal an inner commitment to dharma rather than entitlement.
The great warriors stand before Kubera, encircle him respectfully, and remain with folded hands, feeling as though they have erred—an attitude that frames the encounter as ethically charged and spiritually deferential.