Shloka 26
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
अजुन उवाच गाण्डीवमाश्रयं कृत्वा नाराचां श्वाग्निसंनिभान् । निवसामि महारण्ये द्वितीय इव पावकि:,अर्जुनने कहा--मैं गाण्डीव धनुष और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी बाणोंका आश्रय लेकर इस महान् वनमें द्वितीय कार्तिकेयकी भाँति (निर्भय) निवास करता हूँ
arjuna uvāca | gāṇḍīvam āśrayaṃ kṛtvā nārācān śvāgnisaṃnibhān | nivasāmi mahāraṇye dvitīya iva pāvakiḥ ||
Arjuna said: “Taking refuge in the Gāṇḍīva bow, and relying on arrows that blaze like the fire of a dog-star, I dwell in this vast forest—fearless and formidable, like a second Fire itself.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: even in exile and hardship, one should uphold courage and preparedness, relying on rightful strength and disciplined skill rather than fear.
Arjuna speaks about his stance during the forest-dwelling period, declaring that with the Gāṇḍīva and blazing arrows as his support, he lives in the great forest with the confidence and power of fire itself.