Shloka 27
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
ततः प्रभुस्त्रेदिवनिवासिनां वशी महामतिर्गिरिश उमापति: शिव: । धनुर्महद् देतिजपिशाचसूदनं ददौ भव: पुरुषवराय गाण्डिवम्,तत्पश्चात् देवताओंके स्वामी, जितेन्द्रिय एवं परम बुद्धिमान् कैलासवासी उमावल्लभ भगवान् शिवने पुरुषप्रवर अर्जुनको वह महान् गाण्डीवधनुष दे दिया, जो दैत्यों और पिशाचोंका संहार करनेवाला था
tataḥ prabhus tredivanivāsināṁ vaśī mahāmatir giriśa umāpatiḥ śivaḥ | dhanur mahad daitijapiśācasūdanaṁ dadau bhavaḥ puruṣavarāya gāṇḍīvam ||
Then the mighty Lord—controller of the dwellers of the three worlds, the great-minded Mountain-Lord, Śiva, the consort of Umā—bestowed upon the foremost of men, Arjuna, the great bow Gāṇḍīva, a weapon famed for destroying daityas and piśācas. The episode underscores that extraordinary power is granted under divine oversight to one who is disciplined and worthy, to be used for the protection of order rather than for pride or cruelty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and weaponry are not self-justifying; they become legitimate when granted (or sanctioned) for dharmic ends and entrusted to a disciplined, worthy person. The verse frames divine gifts as responsibilities aimed at protecting the world from destructive forces.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Śiva—described with multiple epithets—bestows the famed bow Gāṇḍīva upon Arjuna, emphasizing its formidable, demon- and spirit-slaying potency and marking Arjuna’s divine empowerment for forthcoming trials.