Shloka 2
Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage
Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission
स हि तेषां महेष्वासो गतिरासीदनीकजित् । आदित्यानां यथा विष्णुस्तथैव प्रतिभाति मे,वे सैन्यविजयी, महान् धनुर्धर अर्जुन ही उन सबके आश्रय थे। जैसे आदित्योंमें विष्णु हैं, वैसे ही पाण्डवोंमें मुझे धनंजय जान पड़ते हैं
sa hi teṣāṁ maheṣvāso gatir āsīd anīkajit | ādityānāṁ yathā viṣṇus tathaiva pratibhāti me ||
Janamejaya said: “For them, that great archer—conqueror of armies—was their very refuge and sure course. Just as Viṣṇu stands foremost among the Ādityas, so does Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) appear to me among the Pāṇḍavas.”
जनमेजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of a protector-leader: a truly capable warrior is not merely victorious in battle but becomes the dependable refuge (gati) of his people, inspiring confidence and stability in times of danger.
Janamejaya is praising Arjuna’s preeminence among the Pāṇḍavas, describing him as their main support and likening his standing to Viṣṇu’s eminence among the Ādityas.