Mahabharata 3.37.49 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 37, Shloka 49
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
“वीर! ओज और तेजमें तुम्हारे-जैसा दूसरा कोई पुरुष नहीं है!” इस प्रकार उन ब्रह्मर्षिने हँसते हुए-से बार-बार अर्जुनसे धनुषको त्याग देनेकी बात कही। परंतु अर्जुन धनुष न त्यागनेका दृढ़ निश्चय कर चुके थे; अतः ब्रह्मर्षि उन्हें धैर्यसे विचलित नहीं कर सके ।।
tam uvāca tataḥ prītaḥ sa dvijaḥ prahasann iva | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te śakro ’ham arisūdana ||
„Held! An Kraft und Glanz gleicht dir kein anderer Mann!“ So sprach jener Brahmarṣi, gleichsam lächelnd, immer wieder zu Arjuna und forderte ihn auf, den Bogen aufzugeben. Doch Arjuna hatte den festen Entschluss gefasst, ihn nicht aus der Hand zu legen; daher vermochte der Weise ihn durch Geduld nicht ins Wanken zu bringen. Da sagte jener Zweimalgeborene, nun zufrieden und wie in sanfter Heiterkeit lächelnd, erneut: „Wähle eine Gabe; Heil sei dir, o Arisūdana. Ich bin Śakra (Indra) selbst.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Firm resolve (dhṛti) and disciplined self-mastery are essential to kṣatriya excellence; when one does not abandon one’s rightful duty or chosen instrument of dharma under pressure, even divine powers acknowledge that integrity and reward it appropriately.
A brahmin-like figure who has been urging Arjuna to give up his bow—testing his determination—becomes pleased at Arjuna’s unwavering refusal. He then reveals himself as Indra (Śakra) and invites Arjuna to choose a boon.
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