Shloka 21

Devanagari script

पाण्डवाश्न महेष्वासा दूतवाक्यप्रचोदिता: । चिन्तयन्तस्तमेवार्थ नालभन्त सुखं क्वचित्‌

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | pāṇḍavāś ca mahēṣvāsā dūtavākya-pracoditāḥ | cintayantas tam evārtham nālabhanta sukhaṃ kvacit ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The Pāṇḍavas—mighty archers—stirred by the messenger’s words, kept reflecting on that very matter, and could find no peace anywhere. The verse underscores how a just cause and the pressure of duty can still weigh heavily on the mind, leaving even the righteous unsettled when grave decisions must be made.

Word by Word

पाण्डवाःthe Pandavas

महेष्वासाःgreat archers (lit. those having great bows)

दूतवाक्यप्रचोदिताःurged/provoked by the messenger's words

चिन्तयन्तःthinking, pondering

तम्that

एवindeed, just

अर्थम्matter, purpose, meaning

नnot

अलभन्तthey obtained, they found

सुखम्happiness, ease

क्वचित्anywhere, at any time

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Pāṇḍavas

dūta (messenger/envoy)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even when one is strong and righteous, difficult duties and consequential messages can disturb inner peace; ethical action often requires sustained reflection, not impulsive reaction.

What is happening in the narrative?

After receiving an envoy’s message, the Pāṇḍavas—renowned warriors—brood over the issue it raises and are unable to feel comfort, indicating the gravity of the decision before them.