Shloka 59
जघानाथ ततो जिष्णु: किरातमुरसा बली । पाण्डवं च विचेष्ट॑ तं किरातो5प्यहनद् बली,तत्पश्चात् बलवान् वीर अर्जुनने अपनी छातीसे किरातको बड़े जोरसे मारा, तब महाबली किरातने भी विपरीत चेष्टा करनेवाले पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन॒पर आघात किया
jaghāna atha tato jiṣṇuḥ kirātam urasā balī | pāṇḍavaṃ ca viceṣṭaṃ taṃ kirāto 'py ahanad balī ||
Then the mighty Jiṣṇu (Arjuna) struck the Kirāta hard upon the chest. And the powerful Kirāta, in turn, struck back at that Pāṇḍava who was striving and counter-moving—thus the contest intensified, each meeting force with force in steadfast resolve.
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast effort and courage are tested through resistance: true strength is shown not merely by striking, but by enduring and responding with disciplined resolve. The episode also frames conflict as a proving-ground where the divine may test a seeker’s worthiness.
Arjuna (called Jiṣṇu) and the Kirāta engage in close combat. Arjuna strikes the Kirāta on the chest; the Kirāta immediately retaliates against Arjuna, who is actively contending—showing an evenly matched, escalating duel.