Shloka 1
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
अपना स२ (0 अवज असल एकोनचत्वारिशोड ध्याय: भगवान् शंकर और अर्जुनका युद्ध, अर्जुनपर उनका प्रसन्न होना एवं अर्जुनके द्वारा भगवान् शंकरकी स्तुति वैशम्पायन उवाच गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु तपस्विषु महात्मसु । पिनाकपाणिभर्भगवान् सर्वपापहरो हर:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! उन सब तपस्वी महात्माओंके चले जानेपर सर्वपापहारी, पिनाक-पाणि, भगवान् शंकर किरातवेष धारण करके सुवर्णमय वृक्षके सदृश दिव्य कान्तिसे उद्धासित होने लगे। उनका शरीर दूसरे मेरुपर्वतके समान दीप्तिमान् और विशाल था
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu tapassviṣu mahātmasu | pinākapāṇir bhagavān sarvapāpaharo haraḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: When all those great-souled ascetics had departed, the Blessed Lord Hara—Pināka in hand, the remover of all sin—(now intent on testing Arjuna) came forth, assuming the guise of a Kirāta. His divine radiance blazed like a golden tree, and his body appeared vast and brilliant, like another Mount Meru.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity and single-minded striving are not ends in themselves; they become fruitful when aligned with dharma and humility. The Lord who ‘removes sin’ tests the aspirant’s inner quality—courage, restraint, and sincerity—before granting grace.
After the ascetics depart, Śiva (Hara), holding his bow Pināka, appears in the disguise of a Kirāta. This sets the stage for the famous encounter and combat with Arjuna, through which Śiva will assess Arjuna and later bestow divine favor.