Shloka 11
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
भगुतुड़्मथो गत्वा काम्यकादास्थितस्तप: । एकरात्रोषित: कज्चिदपश्यं ब्राह्मणं पथि
Bhṛgutungaṃ atho gatvā Kāmyakād āsthitas tapaḥ | ekarātroṣitaḥ kaścid apaśyaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ pathi ||
Arjuna said: “Having gone to Bhṛgutunga, and with my resolve fixed on performing austerities after leaving the Kāmyaka forest, I stayed there for a single night. Then, as I proceeded onward, I beheld a certain brāhmaṇa on the road.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds tapas as a dharmic means of inner strengthening: Arjuna’s disciplined resolve and respectful attention to a brāhmaṇa signal that spiritual effort and reverence for learned virtue are integral to righteous conduct.
Arjuna narrates his movement from the Kāmyaka forest to the Bhṛgutunga mountain to pursue austerities; after staying one night, he continues his journey and meets (sees) a brāhmaṇa on the road, setting up the next episode.