What are the aspirational qualities of a person in ancient भारत during the time of महाभारत? Who is regarded as civilized and noble? When अर्जुन visits स्वर्ग, there is a small discussion where चित्रसेन shares a brief introduction of अर्जुन with उर्वशी – and he shares the various qualities possessed by अर्जुन to impress उर्वशी. This is an interesting introduction of a person and from this, we can get an idea of aspirational qualities for men in that era. Some (if not all) qualities are relevant in today’s era too – hence, this is worth being aware of by all.

यस्तु देवमनुष्येषु प्रख्यातः सहजैर्गुणैः ⁠।

श्रिया शीलेन रूपेण व्रतेन च दमेन च ⁠। प्रख्यातो बलवीर्येण सम्मतः प्रतिभानवान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

वर्चस्वी तेजसा युक्तः क्षमावान् वीतमत्सरः ⁠। साङ्गोपनिषदान् वेदांश्चतुराख्यानपञ्चमान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

योऽधीते गुरुशुश्रूषां मेधां चाष्टगुणाश्रयाम् ⁠। ब्रह्मचर्येण दाक्ष्येण प्रसवैर्वयसापि च ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

एको वै रक्षिता चैव त्रिदिवं मघवानिव ⁠। अकत्थनो मानयिता स्थूललक्ष्यः प्रियंवदः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

सुहृदश्चान्नपानेन विविधेनाभिवर्षति ⁠। सत्यवाक् पूजितो वक्ता रूपवाननहंकृतः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

भक्तानुकम्पी कान्तश्च प्रियश्च स्थिरसंगरः ⁠। प्रार्थनीयैर्गुणगणैर्महेन्द्रवरुणोपमः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

O ‘सुन्दरी! He (अर्जुन) is popular among both the देवताs and मनुष्यs for his natural disposition towards सद्‌गुण, श्री (majesty, grandeur, etc), शील (strong character), eye-catching appearance, highest standards of discipline and one keeps his इंद्रिय in control (at all times).

For his strength and courage, he is famous everywhere. He is loved by all, he is capable (skilled), he has a grand personality, he is sharp (intelligent), he is benevolent and is never jealous of anyone. Along with six अंग of the वेद (शिक्षा, छंद, व्याकरण, निरुक्त, ज्योतिष & कल्प),  he has studied all the four वेद, all उपनिषद् and the fifth वेद (viz to be understood as इतिहास & पुराण).

Doing service of the गुरु as well as being endowed with eight गुण (शुश्रूषा – service, श्रवण – listening, ग्रहण – grasping, धारण – ability to absorb, ऊह – deliberation, अपोह – reasoning, अर्थविज्ञान – materialistic, knowledge, तत्वविज्ञान – root knowledge that lies beyond what we see in the world), he has acquired highest intelligence. Just like इंद्र, he is capable of protecting स्वर्गलोक by adherence to ब्रह्मचर्य (discipline & control, as required in every situation), by being skilled, by progeny and by his youth (meaning strength, vigour, etc).

He does not like to undertake any form of self-praise, he is always respectful of others, he is able to quickly grasp subtle aspects of any topic, he always speaks using pleasant words (or in a calm tone), one who always showers his close friends with good food and related comforts and one who always speaks truth.

He is honoured at all places (wherever he goes), he is bereft of ego/ arrogance despite being capable of speaking well and having handsome looks, he has compassion towards all people who are his well-wishers, he is energetic, lovable, fully committed to his chosen course of actions, he stands strong while fighting wars (meaning he will never run away from a battlefield), his adherence to सद्‌गुण is seen as an aspiration by many people and for this reason, he is as respected as well as महेन्द्र and वरुण.

ॐ तत् सत्