Mahabharata (Gita Press) 3.39.4 - Vana Parva, Adhyaya 39, Shloka 4

Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas

Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva

Devanagari script

देव्या सहोमया श्रीमान्‌ समानव्रतवेषया । नानावेषधरै्ष्टेर्भूतिरनुगतस्तदा

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | devyā sahomayā śrīmān samanavrataveṣayā | nānāveṣadharair bhūtair anugatas tadā |

Translation

ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。そのとき、輝ける主は女神ウマーを伴って進んだ。彼女の誓戒と装いもまた主に等しかった。さらに、さまざまな姿に身をやつしたブータの群れが、喜んで後に従った。かくして、キラ―タの姿に身を隠すシヴァは、多くの女たちに囲まれていよいよ華やかに見え、バーラタの末裔よ、その一帯は一行の往来によってこの上なく美しく彩られた。

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Word by Word

• देव्या: with the goddess
• देव्या: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• सह: together with
• सह: Karana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह

• उमया: with Umā
• उमया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: उमा
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• श्रीमान्: glorious, illustrious
• श्रीमान्: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रीमत्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• समान: same, similar
• समान: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: समान
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• व्रत: vow, observance
• व्रत: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वेषया: by/with attire, guise
• वेषया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेष
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• नाना: various, many kinds of
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाना

• वेष: guise, dress
• वेष: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: वेष
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• धरैः: by the wearers/bearers
• धरैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: धारिन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• भूतिः: prosperity/splendour (or: Bhūti as a name)
• भूतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूति
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• अनुगतः: followed, accompanied
• अनुगतः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: अनु-गम्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• तदा: then, at that time
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Umā (Pārvatī)
• Śiva (in Kirāta guise)
• Bhūtas (Śiva’s attendants)
• Kirāta (hunter guise)
• Bharata lineage (addressed listener)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata motif: the divine may appear in humble or concealed forms, and true recognition depends on inner discernment rather than outward dress. It also underscores harmony in divine partnership—Umā’s matching vow and attire signify shared purpose and disciplined companionship.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes Śiva moving through the region in the disguise of a Kirāta (mountain hunter), accompanied by Umā and followed by bhūtas in varied disguises. Their lively procession beautifies the landscape and sets the scene for the ensuing encounter.