Shloka 27
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
स वध्यमानस्तैरस्त्रैरर्जुनेन महात्मना । ततो<स्य दर्शयामास तदा55त्मानं प्रिय: सखा,चित्रसेन अर्जुनके प्यारे सखा थे। उन्होंने महात्मा अर्जुनके बाणोंसे अत्यन्त घायल होनेपर अपने-आपको उनके सामने प्रकट कर दिया
sa vadhyamānas tair astrair arjunena mahātmanā | tato 'sya darśayāmāsa tadātmānaṃ priyaḥ sakhā citrasenaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: As he was being struck down by the weapons of the great-souled Arjuna, his dear friend Citrasena then revealed himself before Arjuna. The episode underscores that even in combat, recognition of relationship and restraint can arise—violence gives way to disclosure and the possibility of right conduct once identity and intent are made clear.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that ethical clarity in conflict can depend on true recognition: once identity and relationship are disclosed, the impulse toward destruction can be checked, making space for restraint and dharmic judgment rather than blind aggression.
While being severely struck by Arjuna’s missiles, Citrasena—described as Arjuna’s dear friend—reveals his own identity to Arjuna, shifting the encounter from anonymous combat toward personal recognition.