Shloka 17
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
स ददर्श ततो जिष्णु: पुरुषं काउचनप्रभम् । किरातवेषसंच्छन्नं सत्रीसहायममित्रहा,इसी समय शत्रुनाशक अर्जुनने सुवर्णके समान कान्तिमान् एक तेजस्वी पुरुषको देखा, जो स्त्रियोंक साथ आकर अपनेको किरातवेषमें छिपाये हुए थे। तब कुन्तीकुमारने प्रसन्नचित्त होकर हँसते हुए-से कहा--“आप कौन हैं जो इस सूने वनमें स्त्रियोंसे घिरे हुए घूम रहे हैं?
sa dadarśa tato jiṣṇuḥ puruṣaṃ kāñcanaprabhām | kirātaveṣasaṃchannaṃ sa-strī-sahāyam amitrahā ||
Então Jiṣṇu (Arjuna), o matador de inimigos, avistou um homem radiante, brilhando como ouro, que se ocultara sob o disfarce de um Kirāta (caçador das montanhas) e vinha acompanhado de mulheres. Ao ver aquela cena estranha na floresta solitária, Arjuna—com o coração satisfeito—falou como que sorrindo, perguntando quem era ele para vagar ali cercado por mulheres.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights alertness and discernment: even in solitude, a dharmic warrior remains watchful, questioning appearances and motives—especially when something seems out of place (a ‘Kirāta’ figure moving with women in a deserted forest).
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna notices a striking, gold-radiant man who is hiding his identity under a Kirāta hunter’s costume and is accompanied by women; Arjuna, amused yet cautious, prepares to question him.