Shloka 9
संस्तूयमानो गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्नल पाण्डव: | पुष्पगन्धवहै: पुण्यैर्वायुभिश्चवानुवीजित:,वहाँ स्वेच्छानुसार गमन करनेवाले देवताओंके सहस्रों विमान स्थिरभावसे खड़े थे और हजारों इधर-उधर आते-जाते थे। उन सबको पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनने देखा। उस समय गन्धर्व और अप्सराएँ उनकी स्तुति कर रही थीं। फ़ूलोंकी सुगन्धका भार वहन करनेवाली पवित्र मन्द-मन्द वायु मानो उनके लिये चँवर डुला रही थी
saṃstūyamāno gandharvair apsarobhiś ca pāṇḍavaḥ | puṣpagandhavahaiḥ puṇyair vāyubhiś cānuvījitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) was being praised by the Gandharvas and the Apsarases, while gentle, sanctifying breezes—laden with the fragrance of flowers—seemed to fan him like a ceremonial whisk. In that celestial setting, he beheld the divine aerial cars: some standing steady, others moving about at will, revealing the ordered splendor of the gods’ realm and the honor accorded to one who has earned it through discipline and merit.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner discipline and earned merit (puṇya) are recognized even in the divine sphere: honor is not random but corresponds to worthiness, and the celestial order mirrors ethical order—those who cultivate restraint and excellence receive fitting respect.
Arjuna is in a heavenly environment where Gandharvas and Apsarases praise him, fragrant breezes waft around him like attendants, and he observes many divine vimānas—some stationary and others moving freely—signaling his reception and the grandeur of the gods’ realm.