Shloka 44
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
ब्राह्यया श्रिया दीप्यमानं पिड़लं जटिलं कृशम् | सोडब्रवीदर्जुनं तत्र स्थितं दृष्टत्वा महातपा:,वे अपने ब्रह्मतेजसे उदभासित हो रहे थे। उनकी अंगकान्ति पिंगलवर्णकी थी। सिरपर जटा बढ़ी हुई थी और शरीर अत्यन्त कृश था। उन महातपस्वीने अर्जुनको वहाँ खड़े हुए देखकर पूछा--
brāhmyā śriyā dīpyamānaṃ piṅgalaṃ jaṭilaṃ kṛśam | so ’bravīd arjunaṃ tatra sthitaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātapāḥ ||
Pertapa agung itu bersinar oleh kemuliaan brahmateja; berwarna keemasan-tawny, berambut gimbal (jaṭā), dan bertubuh sangat kurus. Melihat Arjuna berdiri di sana, ia pun menyapanya dengan sebuah pertanyaan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas as a source of moral and spiritual authority: the ascetic’s Brahmanical radiance signifies inner discipline and purity, positioning him as a figure who can question, guide, or test a warrior like Arjuna within the framework of dharma.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes a powerful ascetic—radiant, tawny-hued, matted-haired, and lean—who notices Arjuna standing nearby and begins to speak to him, initiating an encounter that typically leads to counsel, a test, or a significant exchange.