Shloka 16
Āśramāgamanam — The Pāṇḍavas Arrive at Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Hermitage
गन्धर्वैरुपगीयन्तः स्तूयमानाश्न वन्दिभि: | दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधरा वृताश्चाप्सरसां गणै:
gandharvair upagīyantaḥ stūyamānāś ca vandibhiḥ | divya-mālyāmbara-dharā vṛtāś cāpsarasāṃ gaṇaiḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：乾闼婆歌咏其德，宫廷颂者称赞其名。他们佩戴天界花鬘，身着天衣，周围簇拥着成群的阿普萨拉斯——此乃荣耀与超世光华之象，标示灵魂凭功德而升入更高境界的行程。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Mahābhārata’s moral logic that honor in higher realms is portrayed as the fruit of accumulated merit and dharmic life; celestial praise symbolizes recognition of virtue beyond worldly power.
A scene of celestial reception is described: Gandharvas sing, bards praise, and Apsarases surround the honored figures, who appear adorned with divine garlands and garments—signaling their elevated, otherworldly status.