Shloka 231
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
त॑ दृष्टवा तत्र कौन्तेयं प्रगृहीतशरासनम् | अब्रुवन ब्राह्मणा: सिद्धा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च
taṁ dṛṣṭvā tatra kaunteyaṁ pragṛhītaśarāsanam | abruvan brāhmaṇāḥ siddhā bhūtāny antarhitāni ca ||
Seeing Kuntī’s son there, his bow raised and arrows in hand, the accomplished brāhmaṇa-sages spoke out; and even the unseen beings, hidden from ordinary sight, also made their presence felt (as witnesses to the moment).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that righteous readiness to protect (symbolized by the bow and arrows) is recognized and guided by spiritually accomplished authorities; moral action is not merely personal impulse but is witnessed and shaped by higher, often unseen, orders of beings.
Arjuna (Kaunteya) is seen standing prepared with bow and arrows. In response, perfected brāhmaṇa-sages speak, and even invisible beings—present though hidden—are implied to be observing or responding, underscoring the gravity of the moment.