Shloka 16
Mātali’s Arrival and Arjuna’s Ascent toward Amarāvatī (मातलिसंयुक्तरथागमनम् तथा इन्द्रलोकगमनारम्भः)
ततः पार्थों महाबाहुरवतीर्य रथोत्तमात् । ददर्श साक्षाद् देवेशं पितरं पाकशासनम्,उन्हें देखते ही महाबाहु पार्थ उस उत्तम रथसे उतर पड़े और देवेश्वर पिता पाकशासन (इन्द्र)-को उन्होंने प्रत्यक्ष देखा
tataḥ pārtho mahābāhur avatīrya rathottamāt | dadarśa sākṣād deveśaṃ pitaraṃ pākaśāsanam ||
Then Pārtha, the mighty-armed, descended from that excellent chariot. Before his very eyes he beheld the lord of the gods—his father, Pākaśāsana (Indra). The moment underscores reverence toward one’s divine and paternal source of protection and authority, as the hero meets the celestial upholder of order.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights humility and reverence: even a great warrior honors higher authority—here, the divine father and lord of the gods—suggesting that power is best guided by respect for dharma and rightful guardianship.
Arjuna (Pārtha) steps down from an excellent chariot and directly sees Indra, identified both as the lord of the gods and as Arjuna’s father, marking a pivotal divine meeting.