Shloka 29
Arjuna’s Account of Tapas and the Kirāta Test; Revelation of Maheśvara and the Grant of the Pāśupata-Astra
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! कुबेरकी कही हुई ये बातें सुनकर पाण्डवोंको बड़ी प्रसन्नता हुई। तदनन्तर भरतकुल-भूषण भीमसेनने उठायी हुई शक्ति गदा, खड्ग और धनुषको नीचे करके कुबेरको नमस्कार किया ।। ततोडब्रवीद् धनाध्यक्ष: शरण्य: शरणागतम् । मानहा भव शत्रूणां सुहृदां नन्दिवर्धन:,तब शरण देनेवाले धनाध्यक्ष कुबेरने अपनी शरणमें आये हुए भीमसेनसे कहा --'पाण्डुनन्दन! तुम शत्रुओंका मान मर्दन और सुहृदोंका आनन्द वर्धन करनेवाले बनो
vaiśampāyana uvāca—janamejaya! kuberasya etāḥ kathitāḥ vācaḥ śrutvā pāṇḍavāḥ paramaprasannā babhūvuḥ. tadanantaraṁ bharatakula-bhūṣaṇo bhīmasena utthitāṁ śaktiṁ gadāṁ khaḍgaṁ dhanuś ca nyasya kuberaṁ namaskṛtvā. tato ’bravīd dhanādhyakṣaḥ śaraṇyaḥ śaraṇāgataṁ—mānahā bhava śatrūṇāṁ suhṛdāṁ nandivardhanaḥ.
Vaiśampāyana said: “O Janamejaya, hearing these words spoken by Kubera, the Pāṇḍavas were greatly delighted. Then Bhīmasena, the ornament of Bharata’s line, lowered the weapons he had raised—his spear, mace, sword, and bow—and bowed to Kubera. Thereupon Kubera, the lord of wealth and a giver of refuge, addressed Bhīma who had come seeking protection: ‘O son of Pāṇḍu, become the humbler of your enemies’ pride and the increaser of your friends’ joy.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power should be governed by humility and right alignment: Bhīma lowers his weapons and bows, and Kubera’s blessing frames true strength as ethical—breaking the arrogance of enemies while increasing the happiness and security of friends and allies.
After hearing Kubera’s words, the Pāṇḍavas rejoice. Bhīma respectfully lowers the weapons he had raised and salutes Kubera. Kubera, as a protector and lord of wealth, responds by blessing Bhīma to become a crusher of foes’ pride and a source of joy for his well-wishers.