Shloka 54
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
तदा वृक्षान् महाकाय: प्रत्यगृह्नादथो शिला: । किरातरूपी भगवांस्तत: पार्थो महाबल:,तब विशालकाय किरातरूपी भगवान् शंकरने उन वृक्षों और शिलाओंको भी ग्रहण कर लिया। यह देखकर महाबली कुन्तीकुमार अपने वज़तुल्य मुक््कोंसे दुर्धर्ष किरात-सदृश रूपवाले भगवान् शिवपर प्रहार करने लगे। उस समय क्रोधके आवेशसे अर्जुनके मुखसे धूम प्रकट हो रहा था
tadā vṛkṣān mahākāyaḥ pratyagṛhṇād atho śilāḥ | kirātarūpī bhagavāṁs tataḥ pārtho mahābalaḥ ||
Then the mighty, huge-bodied one seized the trees and even the rocks. The Blessed Lord, assuming the form of a Kirāta (mountain-hunter), thus took them up; seeing this, the great-armed Pārtha (Arjuna), overcome by wrath, began to strike at Lord Śiva in that formidable Kirāta-like guise with blows of his heavy fists. In that moment, smoke seemed to rise from Arjuna’s face in the heat of his anger.
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great hero’s strength and anger must be disciplined; the divine may appear in unexpected forms to test pride and refine resolve into humility and devotion, making one fit to receive higher power and grace.
Śiva, disguised as a Kirāta, displays overwhelming might by seizing trees and rocks; Arjuna, provoked and enraged, attacks with his fists—an escalating confrontation that serves as a divine test preceding Śiva’s eventual favor.