Shloka 16
Subhadrā-vivāha-saṃsthāpana, Vṛṣṇi–Kuru satkāra, and Abhimanyu-janma
Chapter 213
अग्निकार्य स कृत्वा तु नागराजसुतां तदा । प्रहसन्निव कौन्तेय इदं वचनमब्रवीत्,अन्निहोत्रका कार्य कर लेनेके पश्चात् अर्जुनने नागराजकन्यासे हँसते हुए-से यह बात कही--
agnikāryaṃ sa kṛtvā tu nāgarājasutāṃ tadā | prahasann iva kaunteya idaṃ vacanam abravīt ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Tendo concluído o rito do fogo prescrito, Arjuna, filho de Kuntī, dirigiu-se então à filha do rei dos Nāgas com um sorriso, dizendo estas palavras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic sequencing: first fulfill one’s ritual and social obligations (agnikārya), then speak—especially in sensitive contexts—with composure and courtesy (prahasann iva), indicating that right action should be matched by right speech.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna, after completing a fire-ritual, turns to the Nāga-king’s daughter and begins to address her, smiling slightly, introducing the next spoken exchange in the episode.