Shloka 21
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
कुन्तीनन्दन अर्जुनको वहाँ धनुष लिये जाते देख सिद्धों, ब्राह्मणों तथा अदृश्य भूतोंने कहा--
Vaiśampāyana uvāca—Kuntīnandanaḥ Arjunaḥ tatra dhanuḥ gṛhītvā gacchantaṃ dṛṣṭvā siddhaiḥ brāhmaṇaiś ca tathā adṛśyaiḥ bhūtaiḥ uktam—
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Vendo Arjuna, filho de Kuntī, avançar ali com o arco na mão, os Siddhas, os brāhmaṇas e seres invisíveis dirigiram-lhe a palavra—preparando o cenário para um conselho que enquadra seu ato no dharma e sob o escrutínio moral dos sábios e do mundo invisível.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Arjuna’s impending action under the gaze of both learned human authorities (Brāhmaṇas) and higher, unseen witnesses (Siddhas and invisible beings), implying that righteous conduct is accountable to dharma beyond mere human approval.
Arjuna is seen moving forward with his bow; in response, Siddhas, Brāhmaṇas, and unseen beings speak to him, introducing a forthcoming message or guidance that contextualizes his next steps.