Mahabharata 1.175.28 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 175, Shloka 28
पाण्डवानां पाञ्चालगमनम्
The Pāṇḍavas’ Journey toward Pāñcāla and News of the Svayaṃvara
गन्धर्व उवाच नन्दिन्यामेवं क्रन्दन्त्यां धर्षितायां महामुनि: । न चुक्षुभे तदा धैर्यान्न चचाल धृतव्रत:
gandharva uvāca
nandinīyām evaṁ krandantyāṁ dharṣitāyāṁ mahāmuniḥ |
na cukṣubhe tadā dhairyān na cacāla dhṛtavrataḥ ||
Gandharva berkata: “Wahai Arjuna, ketika Nandinī, yang dicemari dan dihina, meratap demikian, resi agung Vasiṣṭha—teguh pada nazarnya—tidak tersentak oleh amarah, dan tidak berganjak daripada ketenangannya.”
गन्धर्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as inner steadiness: even when confronted with injustice and the suffering of one’s dependent (Nandinī), the truly disciplined person does not lose self-mastery. Vasiṣṭha’s restraint models ethical strength—responding from vow and discernment rather than anger.
A Gandharva narrates to Arjuna that Nandinī, having been violated and crying in distress, did not provoke Vasiṣṭha into agitation. The sage remains unwavering, emphasizing his firm observance of vows and composure amid provocation.
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