Shloka 55
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
मुष्टिभि्वज्ञसंकाशैर्धूममुत्पादयन् मुखे । प्रजहार दुराधर्षे किरातसमरूपिणि,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
Kirāta uvāca: muṣṭibhir vajra-saṅkāśair dhūmam utpādayan mukhe | prajahāra durādharṣe kirāta-samarūpiṇi ||
Seeing even the trees and rocks seized and made futile, Arjuna—the mighty son of Kuntī—struck at the invincible Lord who had assumed the form of a Kirāta, with fists like thunderbolts. In the heat of wrath, smoke rose from his mouth as he pressed the attack, testing not only strength but the discipline and resolve that uphold righteous power.
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Extraordinary power must be governed by discipline and right intent: Arjuna’s fierce effort is shown alongside the divine ‘invincibility’ of Śiva, indicating that true strength is perfected through testing, humility, and alignment with dharma rather than mere aggression.
Śiva, disguised as a Kirāta, confronts Arjuna. After Arjuna’s weapons and even thrown trees and rocks prove ineffective, Arjuna closes in and strikes with thunderbolt-like fists; his anger is so intense that ‘smoke’ is described as issuing from his mouth.