Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
अजुन उवाच गाण्डीवमाश्रयं कृत्वा नाराचां श्वाग्निसंनिभान् । निवसामि महारण्ये द्वितीय इव पावकि:,अर्जुनने कहा--मैं गाण्डीव धनुष और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी बाणोंका आश्रय लेकर इस महान् वनमें द्वितीय कार्तिकेयकी भाँति (निर्भय) निवास करता हूँ
arjuna uvāca | gāṇḍīvam āśrayaṃ kṛtvā nārācān śvāgnisaṃnibhān | nivasāmi mahāraṇye dvitīya iva pāvakiḥ ||
Arjuna disse: “Tomando refúgio no arco Gāṇḍīva e confiando em flechas que ardem como o fogo da estrela do Cão, habito nesta vasta floresta—sem temor e formidável, como se fosse o próprio Fogo em duplicidade.”
अजुन उवाच
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: even in exile and hardship, one should uphold courage and preparedness, relying on rightful strength and disciplined skill rather than fear.
Arjuna speaks about his stance during the forest-dwelling period, declaring that with the Gāṇḍīva and blazing arrows as his support, he lives in the great forest with the confidence and power of fire itself.