Shloka 16
Arjuna meets the Lokapālas, is tested by Indra, and is led to Amarāvatī for astra-śikṣā
Indraloka-gamana
देशं विरजसं पश्य मेरो: शिखरमुत्तमम् । यत्रात्मतृप्तैर ध्यास्ते देवे: सह पितामह:,'युधिष्ठिर! मेरुका वह उत्तम शिखर देखो, जो रजोगुण रहित प्रदेश है, वहाँ अपने- आपमें तृप्त रहनेवाले देवताओंके साथ पितामह ब्रह्मा निवास करते हैं
deśaṁ virajasaṁ paśya meroḥ śikharam uttamam | yatrātmatṛptair adhyāste devaiḥ saha pitāmahaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Behold that stainless, dustless region—the supreme peak of Mount Meru. There, the Grandsire Brahmā dwells together with the gods who are content within themselves.” The verse evokes an ethical ideal of inner sufficiency and purity: the highest realm is associated not with acquisition or conflict, but with freedom from rajas (restless passion) and with self-satisfied serenity.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links spiritual elevation with virajastva—freedom from rajas (agitation, passion, impurity)—and praises ātma-tṛpti, contentment rooted in the Self. The highest abode is portrayed as a realm of inner sufficiency rather than desire-driven striving.
Vaiśampāyana describes to Yudhiṣṭhira a vision/description of Mount Meru’s supreme summit, identifying it as a pure, rajas-free region where Brahmā (the Pitāmaha) resides along with self-contented gods.