Shloka 17
अग्निभय-प्रसङ्गे मन्दपालस्य शोकः
Mandapāla’s Lament amid the Threat of Fire
स तं नानापताकाभि: शोभितं रथसत्तमम्,आरुरोह तदा पार्थों विमान सुकृती यथा । वह श्रेष्ठ रथ भाँति-भाँतिकी पताकाओंसे सुशोभित हो रहा था। अर्जुनने कमर कस ली, कवच और तलवार बाँध ली, दस्ताने पहन लिये तथा रथकी परिक्रमा और देवताओंको प्रणाम करके वे उसपर आरूढ़ हुए, ठीक वैसे ही, जैसे कोई पुण्यात्मा विमानपर बैठता है
sa taṃ nānāpatākābhiḥ śobhitaṃ rathasattamam ārurōha tadā pārtho vimānaṃ sukṛtī yathā |
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను—నానావిధ పతాకలతో శోభించిన ఆ రథశ్రేష్ఠముపై అప్పుడు పార్థుడు (అర్జునుడు) ఆరూఢుడయ్యెను—పుణ్యాత్ముడు విమానముపై ఎక్కినట్లుగా.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that righteous action is approached with inner merit and outward discipline: a warrior does not rush into duty carelessly, but proceeds with auspicious order, self-control, and reverence—suggesting that ethical readiness and respect for higher principles should accompany power and skill.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna (Pārtha) climbs onto an exceptionally splendid chariot decorated with many banners. His ascent is compared to a virtuous person boarding a celestial vimāna, emphasizing the grandeur of the moment and Arjuna’s worthy stature.