Shloka 18
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
तमब्रवीत् प्रीतमना: कौन्तेय: प्रहसन्निव । को भवानटते शून्ये वने स्त्रीगणसंवृत:,इसी समय शत्रुनाशक अर्जुनने सुवर्णके समान कान्तिमान् एक तेजस्वी पुरुषको देखा, जो स्त्रियोंक साथ आकर अपनेको किरातवेषमें छिपाये हुए थे। तब कुन्तीकुमारने प्रसन्नचित्त होकर हँसते हुए-से कहा--“आप कौन हैं जो इस सूने वनमें स्त्रियोंसे घिरे हुए घूम रहे हैं?
tam abravīt prītamanāḥ kaunteyaḥ prahasann iva | ko bhavān aṭate śūnye vane strīgaṇasaṃvṛtaḥ ||
Then the son of Kuntī, pleased at heart and as if smiling, addressed him: “Who are you, wandering in this lonely forest, surrounded by a company of women?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights proper inquiry and discernment: when something appears unusual in a dharmic setting (a solitary forest), one should ask respectfully and clearly to understand identity and intention, rather than react rashly.
Arjuna (Kaunteya), noticing an unfamiliar person in the lonely forest accompanied by women, speaks with a light, confident smile and asks who he is and why he is roaming there.