Shloka 20
सस्त्रीकुमारै: कुरुभि: पूज्यमाना महारथा: । बश्राजिरे महात्मान: क्रतुमध्ये यथाग्नय:,इस प्रकार उन सब भाई-बंधुओं एवं राजकुलकी महिलाओंको गन्धर्वोंसे छुड़ाकर एवं दुष्कर पराक्रम करके प्रसन्न हुए महारथी महामना पाण्डव स्त्री-बालकोंसहित कौरवोंद्वारा पूजित एवं प्रशंसित हो यज्ञ-मण्डपमें प्रज्वलित अग्नियोंके समान देदीप्यमान हो रहे थे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca |
sa-strīkumāraiḥ kurubhiḥ pūjyamānā mahārathāḥ |
babhrajire mahātmānaḥ kratumadhye yathāgnayaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The great-souled Pāṇḍava warriors, honored by the Kurus together with their women and children, shone in the midst of the sacrificial assembly like blazing fires—celebrated for their hard-won valor and for restoring the Kurus’ household to safety.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True kṣatriya valor is ethically framed as protection and restoration: the warriors’ glory is not mere conquest but safeguarding women and children, earning communal honor, and being likened to sacrificial fire—power disciplined by dharma and social responsibility.
After a difficult feat of valor (contextually, the Kurus’ household being freed from danger), the great warriors are publicly honored by the Kurus along with their families. In the sacrificial setting, they appear radiant, compared to the bright fires burning in a yajña.