Shloka 11
अर्जुनस्य इन्द्रकीलगमनम् तथा शक्रसाक्षात्कारः
Arjuna’s journey to Indrakīla and encounter with Indra
युधिष्ठिरनियोगात् स जगामामितविक्रम: । शक्रं सुरेश्वरं द्रष्टे देवदेवं च शंकरम्,राजन्! अमित पराक्रमी, महाबली, महाबाहु, कुरुकुलभूषण, इन्द्रपुत्र अर्जुन, जो सम्पूर्ण विश्वमें विख्यात महारथी और सुस्थिर चित्तवाले थे, युधिष्ठिरकी आज्ञासे देवराज इन्द्र तथा देवाधिदेव भगवान् शंकरका दर्शन करनेके लिये कार्यकी सिद्धिका उद्देश्य लेकर अपने उस दिव्य (गाण्डीव) धनुष और सोनेकी मूँठवाले खड्गको हाथमें लिये उत्तर दिशामें हिमालय पर्वतकी ओर चले
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: yudhiṣṭhira-niyogāt sa jagāma amita-vikramaḥ | śakraṃ sureśvaraṃ draṣṭuṃ deva-devaṃ ca śaṅkaram, rājan |
Vaiśampāyana said: By Yudhiṣṭhira’s command, that hero of immeasurable prowess set out, O king, to behold Śakra, the lord of the gods, and also Śaṅkara, the God of gods.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic discipline: a warrior’s power is to be guided by legitimate authority and higher purpose. Arjuna’s greatness is shown not merely in strength but in obedient resolve and reverence toward the divine, seeking guidance and empowerment for a righteous task.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that, on Yudhiṣṭhira’s instruction, Arjuna departs to obtain a direct audience with Indra (Śakra) and Śiva (Śaṅkara). This sets up Arjuna’s divine quest in the forest period, where he seeks celestial support for the larger aims of the Pāṇḍavas.