Shloka 283
धर्मद्वारबहुत्वविमर्शः — Reflection on the Many ‘Doors’ of Dharma (Śānti-parva 342)
पुत्रार्थभाराधितवानहमात्मानमात्मना | पाण्डवोंको आनन्दित करनेवाले अर्जुन! मुझे दूसरा कोई वर नहीं दे सकता; यही सोचकर मैंने पुत्र-प्राप्तिके लिये स्वयं ही अपने आत्मस्वरूप पुराणपुरुष जगदीश्वर रुद्रकी आराधना की थी
putrārtha-bhārādhitavān aham ātmānam ātmanā | pāṇḍavān ānanditavāle arjuna! mām dvitīyo na kaścid varaṃ dātuṃ śaknoti; iti matvā putra-prāptyai svayam eva sva-ātma-svarūpaṃ purāṇa-puruṣaṃ jagad-īśvaraṃ rudram ārādhitavān asmi |
Dijo Arjuna: «Anhelando el don de un hijo, emprendí por mi propia determinación una adoración de gran peso. Pensando: “Nadie más puede concederme este favor”, rendí culto a Rudra—el Purusha primordial, Señor del universo y, en verdad, mi propio Ser—para obtener un hijo».
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes purposeful devotion joined with personal resolve: when a goal is ethically framed and deeply desired, one should undertake disciplined worship and inner effort. It also presents a theological insight—Rudra is not merely an external deity but is identified with the inner Self (ātma-svarūpa), linking devotion with self-knowledge.
Arjuna explains that he sought the boon of a son and, believing no other power could grant it, he personally propitiated Rudra—described as the ancient cosmic Person and Lord of the universe—through worship undertaken by his own determination.