Shloka 13
Vyāsa’s Consolation to Yudhiṣṭhira: Tapas, Kāla, and the Difficulty of Dāna (दान-तपस्-विवेकः)
त एवमुक्ता गन्धर्वा: पाण्डवेन यशस्विना । उत्स्मयन्तस्तदा पार्थमिदं वचनमन्नुवन्,यशस्वी पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनके ऐसा कहनेपर गन्धर्वोने मुसकराकर उनसे इस प्रकार कहा--
ta evamuktā gandharvāḥ pāṇḍavena yaśasvinā | utsmayantas tadā pārtham idaṁ vacanam anuvann ||
യശസ്വിയായ പാണ്ഡവൻ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ ഗന്ധർവന്മാർ പുഞ്ചിരിച്ചു; പിന്നെ പാർഥനോട് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined speech and social-ethical decorum: even powerful beings respond with restraint and a composed smile, suggesting that reputation (yaśas) and dialogue etiquette shape how words are received and answered.
After Arjuna (the renowned Pāṇḍava) speaks, the Gandharvas smile and begin their reply. The verse functions as a narrative hinge introducing the Gandharvas’ forthcoming statement.