Shloka 4
मुद्गलोपाख्यानम् — व्रीहिद्रोणदानं, दुर्वाससः परीक्षा, स्वर्गगुणप्रश्नः
Mudgala Episode: Rice-measure Charity, Durvāsas’ Test, Inquiry on Heaven
तान् समापततो राजन् गन्धर्वाञ्छतशो रणे | प्रत्यगृह्नन् नरव्याप्रा: शरवर्षैरनेकश:,राजन्! रणभूमिमें सैकड़ों गन्धरवॉकोी अपने ऊपर आक्रमण करते देख नरश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवोंने बार-बार बाणोंकी झड़ी लगाकर उन सबको रोक दिया
tān samāpatato rājan gandharvān śataśo raṇe | pratyagṛhṇan naravyāprāḥ śaravarṣair anekaśaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O King, as hundreds of Gandharvas rushed forward in battle, the foremost of men (the Pāṇḍavas) checked their assault again and again, showering them with countless volleys of arrows.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined martial conduct: when confronted by overwhelming force, the righteous warrior responds with controlled skill—checking aggression effectively rather than collapsing into panic or cruelty. It reflects kṣatriya-dharma as steadiness, protection, and measured force.
In the forest episode, a large number of Gandharvas charge into battle. The Pāṇḍavas, described as men of action and excellence, stop their advance by repeatedly releasing dense volleys of arrows, holding the attackers at bay.