Shloka 23
चित्रसेन-समागमः / The Engagement with Citrasena and the Gandharvas
देवो मनुष्यो गन्धर्वो युवा चापि स्वलंकृतः । द्रव्यवानभिरूपो वा न मेडन्य: पुरुषो मत:,“देवता, मनुष्य, गन्धर्व, युवक, बड़ी सजधजवाला धनवान् अथवा परम सुन्दर कैसा ही पुरुष क्यों न हो, मेरा मन पाण्डवोंके सिवा और कहीं नहीं जाता
devo manuṣyo gandharvo yuvā cāpi svalaṅkṛtaḥ | dravyavān abhirūpo vā na me 'nyo puruṣo mataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Whether he be a god, a man, a Gandharva, a youthful hero, or one richly adorned; whether wealthy or exceedingly handsome—no other man is acceptable to my mind. My heart does not turn anywhere except toward the Pāṇḍavas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External excellence—divinity, beauty, youth, ornamentation, or wealth—does not by itself win true esteem; the speaker’s mind is drawn instead to the Pāṇḍavas, implying a preference for inner worth and dharmic character over mere appearance or status.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a strong declaration of preference is voiced: regardless of how impressive another person may be, the speaker’s attachment and approval remain fixed on the Pāṇḍavas, highlighting their moral and personal magnetism within the story.