Shloka 16
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
द्वितीयश्षापि मे मासो जल॑ भक्षयतो गत: । निराहारस्तृतीये5थ मासे पाण्डवनन्दन,इसी प्रकार मैंने दूसरा महीना भी केवल जल पीकर बिताया। पाण्डवनन्दन! तीसरे महीनेमें मैं पूर्णतः निराहार रहा। चौथे महीनेमें मैं ऊपरको हाथ उठाये खड़ा रहा। इतनेपर भी मेरा बल क्षीण नहीं हुआ, यह एक आश्वर्यकी-सी बात हुई
dvitīyaś cāpi me māso jala-bhakṣayato gataḥ | nirāhāras tṛtīye 'tha māse pāṇḍava-nandana |
Demikian pula bulan keduaku berlalu dengan hanya bertahan pada air. Lalu, wahai kebanggaan para Pāṇḍava, pada bulan ketiga aku sama sekali tidak menyantap apa pun.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas (austerity) and steadfast self-control: disciplined restraint can sustain resolve and inner strength, and extraordinary endurance is portrayed as a fruit of determined practice.
Arjuna describes the progression of his austerities over months—first living on minimal sustenance (water), then complete fasting—emphasizing that despite the severity of the vow his strength did not diminish, underscoring the intensity and efficacy of his penance.