Shloka 13

Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas

Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva

Devanagari script

किरातश्न सम॑ तस्मिन्नेकलक्ष्ये महाद्युति: । प्रमुमोचाशनिप्रख्यं शरमग्निशिखोपमम्‌,साथ ही महातेजस्वी किरातने भी उसी एकमात्र लक्ष्ययर बिजली और अग्निशिखाके समान तेजस्वी बाण छोड़ा

Transliteration

kirātaś ca samaṁ tasminn ekalakṣye mahādyutiḥ | pramumocāśaniprakhyaṁ śaram agniśikhopamam ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Then the radiant Kirāta, aiming at that same single target, released an arrow—like a thunderbolt in force and like a flame’s crest in brilliance.

Word by Word

किरातःthe Kirata (hunter)

चand

समम्equally, at the same time

तस्मिन्in that (target/spot)

एकलक्ष्येin the single target

महाद्युतिःthe great-lustrous one

प्रमुमोचreleased, let fly

अशनिप्रख्यम्like a thunderbolt

शरम्arrow

अग्निशिखोपमम्comparable to a flame of fire

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Kirāta (Śiva in disguise)

arrow

single target (ekalakṣya)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Single-pointed focus (ekalakṣya) and disciplined skill are tested in moments of challenge; true excellence is shown by steadiness and parity of effort, even when the opponent may be more than human.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Kirāta–Arjuna encounter, the Kirāta (Śiva in disguise) matches the same target and releases a blazing, thunderbolt-like arrow, escalating a contest meant to test Arjuna’s prowess and resolve.