Shloka 18
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
ते दह्यमाना गन्धर्वा: कुन्तीपुत्रस्य सायकै: । दैतेया इव शक्रेण विषादमगमन् परम्,कुन्तीकुमारके उन सायकोंसे गन्धर्व उसी प्रकार दग्ध होने लगे, जैसे इन्द्रके बाणोंद्वारा दैत्य। इससे उनको बड़ा विषाद हुआ
te dahyamānā gandharvāḥ kuntīputrasya sāyakaiḥ | daiteyā iva śakreṇa viṣādam agaman param ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Scorched by the arrows of Kuntī’s son, the Gandharvas began to burn—just as the Daityas are seared by Indra’s shafts. Overwhelmed by that assault, they fell into profound dejection. The verse underscores how superior prowess, when met with resistance, can break the pride of even celestial beings and turn confidence into despair.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological turning point in conflict: when confronted by superior skill and force, even powerful beings can be humbled, and pride can quickly collapse into viṣāda (deep dejection). It implicitly cautions against overconfidence and shows how might and morale are intertwined.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the Gandharvas are being burned by the arrows of Kuntī’s son (Arjuna). Their suffering is likened to the Daityas being struck down by Indra, and the Gandharvas consequently sink into great despair.