Shloka 4
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
श्रुतं हि मे महाराज यथा पार्थेन संयुगे | एकादशतलतनु: स्थाणुर्धनुषा परितोषित:,राजेन्द्र! मैंने यह भी सुना है कि कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने एकादश मूर्तिधारी भगवान् शंकरको भी अपने धनुष-बाणकी कलाद्दारा संतुष्ट किया है
śrutaṃ hi me mahārāja yathā pārthena saṃyuge | ekādaśa-tala-tanuḥ sthāṇur dhanuṣā paritoṣitaḥ ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh gran rey, he oído en verdad cómo, en medio del combate, Pārtha (Arjuna) complació a Sthāṇu (Śiva)—el Señor que asume una forma undécuple—por su maestría con el arco. El relato muestra que la excelencia marcial no es mera violencia, sino destreza disciplinada ofrecida con reverencia, capaz de obtener incluso la aprobación divina.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence in action (especially martial skill) becomes ethically elevated when governed by discipline and reverence; the verse frames Arjuna’s prowess as something that can ‘please’ the divine, suggesting that power should be aligned with dharma and humility rather than ego.
Sañjaya reports to the king that he has heard of Arjuna, in a combat context, satisfying Śiva (called Sthāṇu) who is described as taking an elevenfold form—implying a celebrated episode where Arjuna’s archery and conduct win Śiva’s approval.