Shloka 23
चित्रसेन-समागमः / The Engagement with Citrasena and the Gandharvas
देवो मनुष्यो गन्धर्वो युवा चापि स्वलंकृतः । द्रव्यवानभिरूपो वा न मेडन्य: पुरुषो मत:,“देवता, मनुष्य, गन्धर्व, युवक, बड़ी सजधजवाला धनवान् अथवा परम सुन्दर कैसा ही पुरुष क्यों न हो, मेरा मन पाण्डवोंके सिवा और कहीं नहीं जाता
devo manuṣyo gandharvo yuvā cāpi svalaṅkṛtaḥ | dravyavān abhirūpo vā na me 'nyo puruṣo mataḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「相手が神であれ人であれ、ガンダルヴァであれ、若き英雄であれ、華やかに飾り立てた者であれ、富める者であれ比類なき美貌の者であれ――パーンダヴァ以外の男を、私の心は受け入れない。私の心は彼ら以外へは決して向かわぬ。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
External excellence—divinity, beauty, youth, ornamentation, or wealth—does not by itself win true esteem; the speaker’s mind is drawn instead to the Pāṇḍavas, implying a preference for inner worth and dharmic character over mere appearance or status.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, a strong declaration of preference is voiced: regardless of how impressive another person may be, the speaker’s attachment and approval remain fixed on the Pāṇḍavas, highlighting their moral and personal magnetism within the story.