Shloka 19
Mudgalasya Svarga-nirvedaḥ
Mudgala’s Disenchantment with Heaven
ज्ञातींस्तानवमुच्याथ राजदारांश्व सर्वश: । कृत्वा च दुष्करं कर्म प्रीतियुक्ताश्व॒ पाण्डवा:,इस प्रकार उन सब भाई-बंधुओं एवं राजकुलकी महिलाओंको गन्धर्वोंसे छुड़ाकर एवं दुष्कर पराक्रम करके प्रसन्न हुए महारथी महामना पाण्डव स्त्री-बालकोंसहित कौरवोंद्वारा पूजित एवं प्रशंसित हो यज्ञ-मण्डपमें प्रज्वलित अग्नियोंके समान देदीप्यमान हो रहे थे
jñātīṁs tān avamucyātha rājadarāṁś ca sarvaśaḥ | kṛtvā ca duṣkaraṁ karma prītiyuktāś ca pāṇḍavāḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Tendo assim libertado todos aqueles parentes e as mulheres da casa real das mãos dos Gandharva, e tendo realizado um feito difícil de cumprir, os Pāṇḍava encheram-se de alegria. Depois de resgatarem mulheres e crianças dos Gandharva, foram honrados e louvados pelos Kaurava; e, no recinto do sacrifício, resplandeciam—como fogos acesos para o rito—por sua valentia arduamente conquistada e pelo dever de proteger a família segundo o dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as protection: rescuing relatives and royal women from harm is presented as a difficult but righteous duty. Ethical worth is shown not merely in victory, but in safeguarding the vulnerable and restoring honor, leading to communal praise and renewed respect.
After a confrontation with the Gandharvas, the Pāṇḍavas succeed in freeing their kinsmen and the women of the royal household. Having completed this arduous rescue, they rejoice and are honored by the Kauravas; in the sacrificial setting they are described as shining like ritual fires.