Shloka 56
Duryodhana-śibira-praveśaḥ — The Pāṇḍavas Enter the Kaurava Camp; The Burning of Arjuna’s Chariot
जगुश्नाप्सरसो राज्ञो यश:सम्बद्धमेव च | गन्धर्वगण अत्यन्त मनोहर बाजे बजाने लगे और अप्सराएँ राजा दुर्योधनके सुयशसम्बधी गीत गाने लगीं ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
jaguḥ apsaraso rājño yaśaḥ-sambaddham eva ca |
gandharva-gaṇā atyanta-mano-harā vādyāni vādyaṃ vādyaṃ babhūvuḥ |
siddhāś ca mumucuḥ vācaḥ—“sādhu sādhu” iti pārthiva |
tataḥ pavitra-gandhavāhā manoharā mṛdulā sukha-dāyinī vāyuḥ pravavau |
sarvāsu dikṣu prakāśaḥ samajāyata, ākāśaś ca nīlamaṇi-sadṛśaṃ babhāsa ||
Wika ni Sanjaya: Nagsimulang umawit ang mga apsara ng mga awiting kaugnay sa karangalan ng hari, at ang mga pangkat ng gandharva ay tumugtog ng napakasarap pakinggang himig. Noon din, sumigaw ang mga siddha, “Napakainam! Napakainam, O Hari!” Pagkaraan, umihip ang banayad at kaaya-ayang simoy—mabango, dalisay, at nakapagpapaginhawa. Kumalat ang liwanag sa lahat ng dako, at ang langit ay kumislap na parang sapiro.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse illustrates how epic literature can portray a warrior’s end with celestial signs of honor and renown, even when the broader moral arc condemns his choices. It invites reflection on the difference between worldly fame (yaśas), heroic reputation, and the deeper ethical evaluation of one’s actions (dharma/adharma) within the Mahabharata’s narrative.
Sanjaya describes a moment of supernatural celebration: apsarases sing of the king’s fame, gandharvas play enchanting music, and siddhas acclaim him. A fragrant, gentle wind blows, light fills the directions, and the sky gleams like sapphire—signs that mark the scene with a heightened, otherworldly atmosphere.