Mahabharata 3.39.22 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 39, Shloka 22
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
इत्युक्त: पाण्डवेयेन किरात: प्रहसन्निव । उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा पाण्डवं सव्यसाचिनम्
ity uktaḥ pāṇḍaveyena kirātaḥ prahasann iva | uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā pāṇḍavaṃ savyasācinam ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു— പാണ്ഡുപുത്രൻ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ, കിരാതവേഷധാരി അവൻ ചിരിയോടെ, സവ്യസാചിയായ പാണ്ഡവ അർജുനനോടു മൃദുവും ശുദ്ധവുമായ വാക്കുകളിൽ സംസാരിച്ചു.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when challenged or mocked, one should maintain discernment and humility; divine encounters may come in ordinary or deceptive forms, and refined speech and self-control are signs of higher dharma and readiness for divine grace.
After Arjuna speaks, the Kirāta (actually Śiva in disguise) laughs and then addresses Arjuna gently, indicating the beginning of a deliberate test and dialogue that will reveal Arjuna’s worthiness and lead toward divine favor.
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