Shloka 42
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
इन्द्रकीलं समासाद्य ततो5तिष्ठद् धनंजय: । अन्तरिक्षेडतिशुश्राव तिछेति स वचस्तदा,तदनन्तर इन्द्रकील पर्वतपर पहुँचकर अर्जुनने आकाशमें उच्च स्वरसे गूँजती हुई एक वाणी सुनी--“तिष्ठ” (यहीं ठहर जाओ)। तब वे वहीं ठहर गये
indrakīlaṃ samāsādya tato 'tiṣṭhad dhanaṃjayaḥ | antarīkṣe 'tiśuśrāva tiṣṭheti sa vacas tadā ||
Having reached Mount Indrakīla, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) halted. At that moment he heard, resounding loudly in the sky, a voice saying, “Tiṣṭha—stop, remain here.” Obeying the command, he stood still there. The episode underscores disciplined restraint and readiness to heed a higher injunction before proceeding further.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined restraint and receptivity to rightful authority: even a mighty warrior pauses immediately when a higher command is heard, showing self-control and readiness to follow dharmic or divine direction.
Arjuna reaches Mount Indrakīla and stops. He then hears a loud voice from the sky commanding “Tiṣṭha—stay,” and he remains there, marking a moment of divine intervention that regulates his next step in the quest.