Shloka 24
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
अद्विराज महाशैल मुनिसंश्रय तीर्थवन् | गच्छाम्यामन्त्रयामि त्वां सुखमस्म्युषितस्त्वयि,“अद्रिराज! महाशैल! मुनियोंके निवासस्थान! तीर्थोंसे विभूषित हिमालय! मैं तुम्हारे शिखरपर सुखपूर्वक रहा हूँ, अतः तुमसे आज्ञा माँगकर यहाँसे जा रहा हूँ
advirāja mahāśaila munisaṁśraya tīrthavān | gacchāmy āmantrayāmi tvāṁ sukham asmy uṣitas tvayi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O king of mountains, O mighty peak—sanctuary of sages and adorned with holy fords! I have dwelt happily upon you; therefore, taking your leave with reverence, I now depart.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic conduct in departure: one should not leave a benefactor or a sacred place abruptly, but take respectful leave (āmantraṇa), acknowledging the support received. It also frames the natural world—especially a tīrtha-bearing mountain—as worthy of reverence, like a host or elder.
The speaker addresses the Himalaya as a living, honored presence—‘king of mountains,’ ‘abode of sages,’ ‘rich in tīrthas’—and says he has stayed there happily. Having completed his stay, he now asks permission and departs, marking a transition in the forest-journey/pilgrimage setting.