Shloka 13
अर्जुनस्य इन्द्रकीलगमनम् तथा शक्रसाक्षात्कारः
Arjuna’s journey to Indrakīla and encounter with Indra
दिशं ५ डक आ कौरव्यो हिमवच्छिखरं प्रति । ऐन्द्रि: राजन् सर्वलोकमहारथ:,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 | diśaṃ kṛtvā kauravyo himavacchikharaṃ prati | aindriḥ rājan sarvalokamahārathaḥ | rājan amita-parākramaḥ mahābalī mahābāhuḥ kurukulabhūṣaṇaḥ indraputraḥ arjunaḥ yaḥ sampūrṇa-viśve vikhyāta-mahārathī su-sthira-cittavān ca āsīt | yudhiṣṭhirasya ājñayā devarāja-indraṃ deva-adhidevaṃ bhagavantaṃ śaṅkaraṃ ca draṣṭuṃ kārya-siddhi-uddeśena divyaṃ gāṇḍīva-dhanuḥ suvarṇa-muṣṭi-khaḍgaṃ ca haste gṛhītvā uttarāṃ diśaṃ himālayaṃ prati jagāma ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Turning his course toward the Himalayan peaks, the Kuru prince set out to the northern quarter. O King, that Arjuna—Indra’s son, the ornament of the Kuru line—renowned throughout the world as a foremost chariot-warrior, of immeasurable prowess, mighty strength, and steady mind, went forth by Yudhiṣṭhira’s command. Seeking the accomplishment of his mission, he departed to obtain the vision of Devarāja Indra and of the supreme Lord among gods, Bhagavān Śaṅkara, bearing in his hand his divine Gāṇḍīva bow and a sword with a golden hilt.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as disciplined obedience and purposeful action: Arjuna, steady-minded and renowned, undertakes a difficult quest not for personal display but to fulfill a legitimate command and accomplish a necessary task, seeking divine guidance and empowerment through darśana.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna, carrying the divine Gāṇḍīva and a golden-hilted sword, departs north toward the Himalayas on Yudhiṣṭhira’s आदेश, intending to meet (gain audience of) Indra and Lord Śaṅkara to secure success for the mission ahead.