Shloka 62

Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas

Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva

Devanagari script

ततो<5भिपीडितैगरत्रि: पिण्डीकृत इवाबभौ । फाल्गुनो गात्रसंरुद्धो देवदेवेन भारत,भारत! तदनन्तर देवाधिदेव महादेवजीके अंगोंसे अवरुद्ध हो अर्जुन अपने पीड़ित अवयवोंके साथ मिट्टीके लोंदे-से दिखायी देने लगे

Transliteration

tato 'bhipīḍitair gātraiḥ piṇḍīkṛta ivābabhau | phālguno gātra-saṃruddho devadevena bhārata ||

Translation

Then, with his limbs sorely pressed and constrained, Phālguna (Arjuna) appeared as if compacted into a lump. His body was held fast by the Lord of gods (Mahādeva), O Bhārata.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

अभिपीडितैःby (his) afflicted/pressed (limbs)

गात्रैःby the limbs

त्रिःthrice

पिण्डीकृतःmade into a lump, compacted

इवas if, like

अबभौappeared, shone, seemed

फाल्गुनःPhalguna (Arjuna)

गात्रसंरुद्धःwith limbs restrained/blocked

देवदेवेनby the god of gods (Mahadeva)

भारतO Bharata

Speaker

किरयात उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna (Phālguna)

Śiva (Devadeva/Mahādeva)

Bhārata (form of address)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Human strength and martial prowess are limited; before divine reality one must cultivate humility, endurance, and devotion. The hero’s subduing becomes a prerequisite for receiving higher knowledge and divine weapons.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Kirāta episode, Śiva (as Devadeva) overpowers Arjuna; Arjuna’s limbs are pressed and immobilized so that he appears like a compacted lump, signaling Śiva’s supremacy and the testing of Arjuna’s resolve.