Shloka 18
Adhyāya 160: Dikpāla-Cosmography and the Sun’s Kālacakra (दिक्पाल-विश्ववर्णनम् तथा आदित्यस्य कालचक्रम्)
अरजांसि च वासांसि वसाना: कौशिकानि च । दृश्यन्ते बहवः पार्थ गन्धर्वाप्सरसां गणा:,कुन्तीकुमार! गन्धर्वों और अप्सराओंके बहुत-से गण यहाँ देखनेमें आते हैं, उनमेंसे कितने ही स्वच्छ वस्त्र धारण करते हैं और कितने ही रेशमी वस्त्रोंसे सुशोभित होते हैं
arajāṁsi ca vāsāṁsi vasanāḥ kauśikāni ca | dṛśyante bahavaḥ pārtha gandharvāpsarasāṁ gaṇāḥ ||
Sang resi berkata: “Wahai Pārtha, di sini kelihatan banyak rombongan Gandharva dan Apsara. Ada yang mengenakan pakaian yang bersih tanpa cela, dan ada pula yang berhias dengan busana sutera.”
आर्शिषिण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between purity (spotless garments) and splendor (silken adornment) in celestial realms, suggesting that refinement and beauty can accompany purity; it also underscores attentive perception—recognizing the nature and signs of beings encountered on a sacred or extraordinary path.
A seer addresses Arjuna (Pārtha), pointing out that many hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases are visible nearby, distinguished by their immaculate and silken clothing—an indication that the heroes are in the presence of a divine or otherworldly gathering.