Shloka 23
Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage
Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission
नकुल उवाच यस्मिन् दिव्यानि कर्माणि कथयन्ति रणाजिरे | देवा अपि युधां श्रेष्ठ तमृते का रतिर्वने,नकुलने कहा--जिन महावीर अर्जुनके विषयमें रणप्रांगणके भीतर देवताओं के द्वारा भी दिव्य कर्मोंका वर्णन किया जाता है, उन योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ धनंजयके बिना अब इस वनमें हमें क्या प्रसन्नता है?
Nakula uvāca: yasmin divyāni karmāṇi kathayanti raṇājire | devā api yudhāṃ śreṣṭha tam ṛte kā ratir vane ||
Nakula disse: “Aquele cujos feitos maravilhosos até os deuses narram no campo de batalha—sem esse Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), o melhor dos guerreiros, que alegria pode haver para nós nesta floresta?”
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Pandavas’ dependence on one another and the value of heroic excellence joined with loyalty: even in hardship, the absence of a virtuous and capable companion makes life feel joyless.
During the forest exile, Nakula laments Arjuna’s absence, recalling that even the gods celebrate Arjuna’s battlefield exploits, and asks how the Pandavas can find any happiness in the forest without him.