Shloka 12
अर्जुनस्य इन्द्रकीलगमनम् तथा शक्रसाक्षात्कारः
Arjuna’s journey to Indrakīla and encounter with Indra
दिव्यं तद् धनुरादाय खड्गं च कनकत्सरुम् | महाबलो महाबाहुरर्जुन: कार्यसिद्धये,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 | divyaṃ tad dhanur ādāya khaḍgaṃ ca kanakatsarum | mahābalo mahābāhur arjunaḥ kāryasiddhaye rājann ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Taking up that divine bow and also a sword with a golden hilt, Arjuna—mighty in strength and long-armed—set out, O King, for the accomplishment of his purpose. In the narrative context, this marks Arjuna’s disciplined, duty-bound departure under Yudhiṣṭhira’s command, seeking divine audience and aid (Indra and Śaṅkara) not for personal pride but to secure the means for a righteous objective.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined action aligned with duty: Arjuna arms himself and proceeds for 'kārya-siddhi'—success in a rightful mission—showing that power and weapons are to be employed under ethical command and for a legitimate purpose, not for vanity or aggression.
Vaiśampāyana narrates Arjuna’s departure: he takes his divine bow and a sword with a golden hilt and sets out to accomplish his objective. In the surrounding episode, this departure leads toward seeking divine encounter and empowerment to fulfill the Pāṇḍavas’ larger dharmic aims.