Shloka 11
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
दृष्टवा तं॑ प्रहरिष्यन्तं फाल्गुनं दृढ्धन्विनम् । किरातरूपी सहसा वारयामास शड्कर:,सुदृढ़ धनुषवाले अर्जुनको प्रहारके लिये उद्यत देख किरातरूपधारी भगवान् शंकरने उन्हें सहसा रोका
dṛṣṭvā taṁ prahariṣyantaṁ phālgunaṁ dṛḍha-dhanvinam | kirāta-rūpī sahasā vārayāmāsa śaṅkaraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing Phālguna (Arjuna), the firm-bowed archer, poised to strike, Śaṅkara—having assumed the form of a Kirāta—suddenly restrained him.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Readiness to act (even in a warrior’s duty) must be tempered by restraint and discernment; the divine may intervene to redirect impulsive action toward a higher purpose, testing the hero’s judgment and humility.
Arjuna, prepared to strike, is confronted by Śiva disguised as a Kirāta. Śiva abruptly stops him, initiating a pivotal encounter in which Arjuna’s prowess and character are tested before divine favor is granted.