Shloka 23
अर्जुनस्य इन्द्रकीलगमनम् तथा शक्रसाक्षात्कारः
Arjuna’s journey to Indrakīla and encounter with Indra
दर्भचीरं निवस्याथ दण्डाजिनविभूषित: । शीर्ण च पतितं भूमौ पर्ण समुपयुक्तवान्,कुशाका ही चीर धारण किये तथा दण्ड और मृगचर्मसे विभूषित अर्जुन पृथ्वीपर गिरे हुए सूखे पत्तोंका ही भोजनके स्थानमें उपयोग करते थे
darbhacīraṃ nivasya atha daṇḍājinavibhūṣitaḥ | śīrṇaṃ ca patitaṃ bhūmau parṇaṃ samupayuktavān ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Setelah mengenakan pakaian daripada rumput darbha serta dilengkapi tongkat dan kulit rusa, Arjuna menyara dirinya dengan daun-daun kering yang gugur di tanah, menjadikannya pengganti makanan—suatu gambaran tapa dan pengendalian diri dalam hidup rimba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas and self-control: a warrior-hero adopts ascetic simplicity, reducing dependence on comfort and food, showing that inner discipline and dharmic resolve can be cultivated through restraint.
Vaiśampāyana describes Arjuna living as an ascetic in the forest—wearing darbha-grass clothing, carrying a staff and deer-skin, and subsisting on withered fallen leaves—emphasizing his rigorous practice and adaptation to exile/forest conditions.