Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
तथा तर्कयतस्तस्य फाल्गुनस्याथ मातलि: । संनतः प्रस्थितो भूत्वा वाक्यमर्जुनमब्रवीत्,इस प्रकार विचार करते हुए अर्जुनके सम्मुख उपस्थित हो मातलिने विनीतभावसे कहा
tathā tarkayatastasya phālgunasya atha mātaliḥ | saṃnataḥ prasthito bhūtvā vākyam arjunam abravīt ||
Ketika Arjuna (Phālguna) sedang berfikir demikian, Mātali mendekatinya dengan penuh hormat dan rendah hati. Setelah menunduk memberi sembah dan bersiap untuk berkata-kata, dia pun berbicara kepada Arjuna—menandakan bahawa nasihat dan kewajipan harus disampaikan dengan takzim, terutama ketika seorang wira sedang menimbang jalan yang benar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethics of counsel: when someone is engaged in serious deliberation, guidance should be offered with humility and respect. Proper demeanor (vinaya) is presented as integral to dharmic communication.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna is thinking deeply; at that moment Mātali comes before him, bows respectfully, and begins to speak—introducing an important message or guidance for Arjuna’s next step.