Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
ततो हृष्टमना जिष्णु्नाराचान् मर्मभेदिन: । व्यसृजच्छतथा राजन् मयूखानिव भास्कर:,राजन! यह सोचकर प्रसन्नचित्त अर्जुनने सहस्रों किरणोंको फैलानेवाले भगवान् भास्करकी भाँति सैकड़ों मर्मभेदी नाराचोंका प्रहार किया
tato hṛṣṭamanā jiṣṇur nārācān marmabhedinaḥ | vyasṛjac chatathā rājan mayūkhān iva bhāskaraḥ ||
Entonces Arjuna, con el ánimo henchido de gozo y determinación—oh Rey—disparó flechas nārāca que perforaban los puntos vitales, como el Sol despliega sus rayos en incontables haces.
किरयात उवाच
The verse highlights kṣātra-dharma in action: disciplined skill, when guided by clear purpose and courage, becomes effective and decisive. The sun-ray simile suggests natural, unhindered power—strength expressed without hesitation when duty calls.
Arjuna, encouraged and confident, begins a forceful counterattack by releasing many nārāca arrows aimed at vital points, compared to the Sun spreading its rays. It marks a surge of momentum in the combat episode being narrated.