Shloka 40

Śiva Grants the Pāśupata Astra (Pāśupata-Śastra Upadeśa) | शिवेन पाशुपतास्त्रदानम्

Devanagari script

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्या भारत वनपवके अन्तर्गत कैरातपर्वमें शिवप्रस्थानविषयक चालीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,त्वदर्थमुद्यतं चेद॑ मया सत्यपराक्रम । त्वमहों धारणे चास्य मेरुप्रतिमगौरव 'सत्यपराक्रमी और मेरुके समान गौरवशाली पार्थ! तुम्हारे लिये यह अस्त्र मैंने उपस्थित किया है। तुम इसे धारण करनेके योग्य हो”

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

iti prakāraṁ śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi antar-gate kirātaparvaṇi śivaprastāna-viṣayakaś catvāriṁśattamo 'dhyāyaḥ samāptaḥ | tvad-artham udyataṁ cedam mayā satya-parākrama | tvam aho dhāraṇe cāsya meru-pratima-gaurava | satya-parākramaḥ meru-sadṛśa-gauravaśāli pārtha! tubhyaṁ kṛte 'stram idaṁ mayā upasthāpitaṁ; tvaṁ etad dhārayituṁ yogyaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: “Thus ends the fortieth chapter in the Kirāta section of the Vana Parva of the revered Mahābhārata, concerning Arjuna’s setting forth to seek Śiva. O Pārtha, whose valor is true and steadfast, whose dignity is like Mount Meru—this weapon has been readied and presented by me for your sake. You are indeed fit to bear it.”

Word by Word

• [{'term': 'vaiśampāyana uvāca', 'definition': '‘Vaiśampāyana said’—narratorial attribution'}, {'term': 'vanaparva(ṇi)', 'definition': 'Vana Parva—‘Book of the Forest’'}, {'term': 'kirātaparva(ṇi)', 'definition': 'Kirāta-parvan—section dealing with the Kirāta episode (Śiva as hunter)'}, {'term': 'śivaprastāna-viṣayaka', 'definition': 'concerning the setting forth/expedition in relation to Śiva'}, {'term': 'catvāriṁśattamaḥ adhyāyaḥ', 'definition': 'the fortieth chapter'}, {'term': 'samāptaḥ', 'definition': 'completed, concluded'}, {'term': 'tvad-artham', 'definition': 'for your sake, on your account'}, {'term': 'udyatam', 'definition': 'raised, prepared, made ready'}, {'term': 'idam', 'definition': 'this'}, {'term': 'satya-parākrama', 'definition': 'one whose valor is true/steadfast

• epithet of Arjuna'}, {'term': 'dhāraṇe yogyaḥ', 'definition': 'fit to bear/hold (a weapon, responsibility)'}, {'term': 'meru-pratima-gaurava', 'definition': 'having grandeur comparable to Mount Meru'}, {'term': 'pārtha', 'definition': 'son of Pṛthā (Kuntī)

• Arjuna'}, {'term': 'astram', 'definition': 'divine weapon

• missile/weapon empowered by mantra'}, {'term': 'upasthāpitaṁ', 'definition': 'presented, placed at one’s disposal'}]

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Mahābhārata
• Vana Parva
• Kirāta-parvan
• Śiva
• Pārtha (Arjuna)
• Meru
• Astra (weapon)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse frames divine weaponry as a trust: only one who is truthful in valor (satya-parākrama) and steady in dignity (meru-pratima-gaurava) is fit to bear such power. Ethical fitness and self-control are presented as prerequisites for receiving and wielding extraordinary force.

What is happening in the narrative?

This is a concluding colophon-like passage marking the end of the chapter about Arjuna’s setting out in connection with Śiva. The speaker addresses Arjuna (Pārtha), stating that a weapon has been prepared and presented for him, and affirming his worthiness to carry it.