Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
ततो हृष्टेन मनसा प्रतिजग्राह सायकान् | भूयो भूय इति प्राह मन्दमन्देत्युवाच ह
tato hṛṣṭena manasā pratijagrāha sāyakān | bhūyo bhūya iti prāha mandamandetyuvāca ha
Then, with a delighted heart, he accepted the arrows. Again and again he said, “More, more,” and he also kept saying, “Gently, gently.”
किरयात उवाच
Even when approving strength or skill, one should pair enthusiasm with restraint: the repeated “more, more” is balanced by “gently, gently,” suggesting disciplined action rather than reckless intensity.
The Kirāta, pleased, receives the arrows and responds with repeated encouragement while simultaneously urging a measured pace, indicating both satisfaction and a controlled, evaluative stance.