Shloka 18
Khāṇḍava-dāha: Strategic containment and Indra’s rain (Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 217)
अवलोकेषु नारीणां सहस्राणि शतानि च । भोजवृष्ण्यन्धकानां च समवायो महानभूत्,जहाँसे अर्जुनका दर्शन हो सके, ऐसे स्थानोंपर सैकड़ों-हजारों स्त्रियाँ आँख लगाये खड़ी थीं तथा भोज, वृष्णि और अन्धकवंशके पुरुषोंकी बहुत बड़ी भीड़ एकत्र हो गयी थी
avalokeṣu nārīṇāṃ sahasrāṇi śatāni ca | bhojavṛṣṇyandhakānāṃ ca samavāyo mahān abhūt |
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa mga pook na tanaw si Arjuna, daan-daan at libu-libong kababaihan ang nakatindig na nakatitig sa paghihintay; at nagtipon din doon ang isang napakalaking pulutong ng kalalakihan mula sa mga angkan ng Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, at Andhaka. Ipinahihiwatig ng tagpong ito ang bigat ng pagdating ni Arjuna sa mata ng bayan at ang sama-samang pagtutok ng mga pamayanang Yādava, kung saan ang paghanga at pag-uusisa ay nagtitipon sa lahat sa isang maayos na pagkakaisa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a person of recognized prowess and virtue becomes a focal point for society, drawing diverse groups into a shared, orderly attention. Ethically, it suggests that public admiration should manifest as disciplined gathering rather than disorder, reflecting communal cohesion around exemplary figures.
As Arjuna is to be seen, women position themselves at suitable vantage points and watch intently, while men of the Bhoja, Vṛṣṇi, and Andhaka clans assemble in large numbers. The narration sets a vivid social scene of anticipation and collective presence around Arjuna’s appearance.