Shloka 15
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
ते वध्यमाना गन्धर्वा: पाण्डवेन महात्मना । भूमिष्ठमन्तरिक्षस्था: शरवर्षैरवाकिरन्,महात्मा पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनके बाणोंसे घायल होकर आकाशमें स्थित हुए गन्धर्वोने पृथ्वीपर खड़े हुए अर्जुनपर बाणोंकी वर्षा प्रारम्भ की
te vadhyamānā gandharvāḥ pāṇḍavena mahātmanā | bhūmiṣṭham antarikṣasthāḥ śaravarṣair avākiran ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Struck and pressed hard by the great-souled Pāṇḍava, the Gandharvas rose into the sky; from the air they poured down a rain of arrows upon Arjuna as he stood firm upon the earth. The scene underscores a warrior’s steadiness under assault and the escalation that follows when pride and resistance meet in battle.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadiness and resolve under pressure: even when opponents shift tactics (taking to the sky and attacking from above), the righteous warrior is expected to remain composed and meet force with disciplined courage rather than panic or collapse.
Arjuna has wounded the Gandharvas; in response they take position in the air and begin raining arrows down upon him as he stands on the ground, intensifying the battle by changing terrain and advantage.