Mahabharata 1.174.2 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 174, Shloka 2
Dhaumya-varaṇa (Appointment of Dhaumya as Purohita) | धौम्यवरणम्
उवाच च महेष्वासो गन्धर्व कुरुसत्तम: । जातकौतूहलो$तीव वसिष्ठस्य तपोबलात्,फिर महाधनुर्धर कुरुश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने गन्धर्वसे कहा--'सखे! वसिष्ठके तपोबलकी बात सुनकर मेरे हृदयमें बड़ी उत्कण्ठा पैदा हो गयी है
uvāca ca maheṣvāso gandharva kurusattamaḥ | jātakautūhalo 'tīva vasiṣṭhasya tapobalāt |
அப்போது மகாதனுர்தரனும் குருகுலச் சிறந்தவனுமான அர்ஜுனன் கந்தர்வனை நோக்கி—“நண்பா! வசிஷ்டரின் தவவலிமையை கேட்டதும் என் உள்ளத்தில் மிகுந்த ஆவல் எழுந்தது” என்றான்।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the acknowledged moral-spiritual authority of tapas (ascetic discipline): the mere report of a sage’s austerity-power (Vasiṣṭha) can move a warrior to reverent inquiry, implying that inner discipline and dharmic merit command respect beyond martial strength.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a renowned Kuru archer speaks to a Gandharva, stating that he has become intensely curious after hearing about Vasiṣṭha’s ascetic power, setting up further questioning or explanation about the sage’s extraordinary potency.
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