Shloka 57

Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas

Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva

Devanagari script

ततश्नट्चटाशब्द: सुघोर: समपद्यत । पाण्डवस्य च मुष्टीनां किरातस्य च युध्यत:,फिर तो घमासान युद्धमें लगे हुए पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन तथा किरातरूपी शिवके मुक्कोंका एक-दूसरेके शरीरपर प्रहार होनेसे बड़ा भयंकर “चट-चट” शब्द होने लगा

Transliteration

tataś caṭ-caṭā-śabdaḥ sughoraḥ samapadyata | pāṇḍavasya ca muṣṭīnāṃ kirātasya ca yudhyataḥ ||

Translation

Then, as the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) and the Kirāta (Śiva in hunter-form) fought at close quarters, a terribly fierce “chat-chat” sound arose from the impact of their clenched fists striking one another’s bodies—signaling the intensity of the contest and the testing of the hero’s resolve.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (तद्-प्रातिपदिकात् अव्यय)

• चट-चट-शब्दः: the 'chat-chat' sound
• चट-चट-शब्दः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शब्द (प्रातिपदिक); चट-चट (अनुकरण/ध्वन्यव्यय)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सुघोरः: very terrible
• सुघोरः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुघोर (प्रातिपदिक: सु- + घोर)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• समपद्यत: arose, came to be
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम् + पद् (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular

• पाण्डवस्य: of the Pandava (Arjuna)
• पाण्डवस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)

• मुष्टीनाम्: of (his) fists
• मुष्टीनाम्: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Genitive, Plural

• किरातस्य: of the Kirata (hunter-form, i.e., Shiva)
• किरातस्य: Sambandha
• Type: Noun
• Root: किरात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)

• युध्यतः: of (him) fighting
• युध्यतः: Sambandha
• Type: Verb
• Root: युध् (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (Śatṛ), Masculine, Genitive, Singular

Speaker

किरयात उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Śiva (as Kirāta/hunter)
• fists (muṣṭi)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the motif of divine testing: Arjuna’s strength and steadfastness are proven through direct confrontation with Śiva in disguise. Ethical emphasis lies in disciplined courage—meeting a formidable challenge without arrogance, sustaining effort until worthiness is demonstrated.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna and the Kirāta (Śiva disguised as a hunter) have entered a fierce hand-to-hand exchange. Their fists strike bodies with such force that a terrifying 'chat-chat' sound is heard, underscoring the ferocity of the duel.