Shloka 10
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
विद्यामधीत्य तां राजंस्त्वयोक्तामरिमर्दन । भवता च समादिष्टस्तपसे प्रस्थितो वनम्
vidyām adhītya tāṁ rājan tvayoktām arimardana | bhavatā ca samādiṣṭas tapase prasthito vanam ||
Arjuna said: “O King—crusher of foes—having studied the sacred knowledge you taught, and acting under your very command, I set out for the forest to undertake austerities. Now listen as I recount, in due order, how I obtained the vision of Indra and of Śaṅkara.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined learning followed by obedient action: Arjuna first masters the instruction given by the king and then undertakes tapas as directed, showing that spiritual power and divine encounter are approached through study, self-control, and faithful execution of rightful counsel.
Arjuna addresses a king, recalling that after learning the teaching imparted to him, he departed for the forest to perform austerities. He introduces his forthcoming account of how he gained audience with Indra and Śaṅkara, setting the stage for the narrative of divine encounters earned through tapas.