Shloka 4
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
श्रुतं हि मे महाराज यथा पार्थेन संयुगे | एकादशतलतनु: स्थाणुर्धनुषा परितोषित:,राजेन्द्र! मैंने यह भी सुना है कि कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने एकादश मूर्तिधारी भगवान् शंकरको भी अपने धनुष-बाणकी कलाद्दारा संतुष्ट किया है
śrutaṃ hi me mahārāja yathā pārthena saṃyuge | ekādaśa-tala-tanuḥ sthāṇur dhanuṣā paritoṣitaḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「大王よ、私は確かに聞いた。戦いのただ中で、パールタ（アルジュナ）は弓の妙技によって、十一の相を現す主・スターヌ（シヴァ）を歓ばせたという。これは、真の武の卓越が単なる暴力ではなく、規律に鍛えられた技を敬虔に捧げることであり、ついには神々の嘉許すら得うることを示している。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence in action (especially martial skill) becomes ethically elevated when governed by discipline and reverence; the verse frames Arjuna’s prowess as something that can ‘please’ the divine, suggesting that power should be aligned with dharma and humility rather than ego.
Sañjaya reports to the king that he has heard of Arjuna, in a combat context, satisfying Śiva (called Sthāṇu) who is described as taking an elevenfold form—implying a celebrated episode where Arjuna’s archery and conduct win Śiva’s approval.