Shloka 4
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
वनस्थान् भवतो ज्ञात्वा क्लिश्यमानाननाथवत् | समस्थो विषमस्थांस्तान द्रक्ष्यमीत्यनवस्थितान्,चित्रसेनने कहा--धनंजय! देवराज इन्द्रको स्वर्गमें बैठे-ही-बैठे दुरात्मा दुर्योधन और पापी कर्णका यह अभिप्राय मालूम हो गया था कि ये आपलोगोंको वनमें रहकर अनाथकी भाँति क्लेश उठाते और विषम परिस्थितिमें पड़कर अस्थिरभावसे रहते हुए जानकर भी उस अवस्थामें आपको देखने और दु:ःखी करनेका निश्चय कर चुके हैं। ये स्वयं सम (सुखपूर्ण)-अवस्थामें स्थित हैं, फिर भी आप पाण्डवों तथा यशस्विनी द्रौपदीकी हँसी उड़ानेके लिये वनमें आये हैं। इस प्रकार इनकी (आपलोगोंका अनिष्ट करनेकी) इच्छा जानकर देवेश्वर इन्द्रने मुझसे इस प्रकार कहा--
vana-sthān bhavato jñātvā kliśyamānān anātha-vat | samastho viṣama-sthāṁs tān drakṣyamīty anavasthitān ||
Chitrasena said: “Knowing that you are dwelling in the forest, suffering like people without protection, those men—though themselves secure and comfortable—have resolved, ‘We shall go and look upon them in their distress,’ and, being fickle and unsteady in mind, have set out with that intent. Indra, the lord of the gods, perceived this design of the wicked Duryodhana and the sinful Karna even while seated in heaven, and, understanding their wish to trouble you, spoke to me accordingly.”
चित्रसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical failure of taking pleasure in others’ suffering: those who are themselves secure choose to visit the afflicted merely to mock and cause pain. It also underscores the Mahabharata theme that harmful intentions are not hidden from higher moral order—Indra perceives and responds to adharma.
Citraseṇa reports to Arjuna that Indra has learned of Duryodhana and Karna’s intention to go to the forest to see the exiled Pāṇḍavas in distress and to humiliate them. Indra, aware of their malicious plan from heaven, instructs Citraseṇa in response.