Shloka 26
Kubera-prasāda-vihāra and Counsel on Ajñātavāsa (कुबेरप्रसादविहारः तथा अज्ञातवासोपदेशः)
तदद्भुताकारमहं दृष्टवा नगरमुत्तमम् । विशिष्ट देवनगरादपृच्छे मातलिं ततः,वह उत्तम एवं अद्भुत नगर देवपुरीसे भी श्रेष्ठ दिखायी देता था। तब उसे देखकर मैंने मातलिसे पूछा--
tad adbhutākāram ahaṃ dṛṣṭvā nagaram uttamam | viśiṣṭaṃ devanagarād apṛcche mātaliṃ tataḥ ||
Arjuna said: “When I beheld that excellent city, wondrous in form, surpassing even the cities of the gods, I then questioned Mātali about it.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a disciplined attitude of inquiry: when confronted with extraordinary or unfamiliar experiences, one should seek clarification from a knowledgeable guide rather than rely on assumption or pride.
During Arjuna’s otherworldly journey, he sees an exceptionally marvelous city—greater even than the divine cities—and immediately asks Mātali, Indra’s charioteer, to explain what it is.