Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
ततो<5भिपीडितैगरत्रि: पिण्डीकृत इवाबभौ । फाल्गुनो गात्रसंरुद्धो देवदेवेन भारत,भारत! तदनन्तर देवाधिदेव महादेवजीके अंगोंसे अवरुद्ध हो अर्जुन अपने पीड़ित अवयवोंके साथ मिट्टीके लोंदे-से दिखायी देने लगे
tato 'bhipīḍitair gātraiḥ piṇḍīkṛta ivābabhau | phālguno gātra-saṃruddho devadevena bhārata ||
Então Phālguna (Arjuna), com os membros dolorosamente comprimidos e contidos, pareceu como se tivesse sido compactado num só bloco. Seu corpo estava preso pelo Senhor dos deuses, Mahādeva, ó Bhārata.
किरयात उवाच
Human strength and martial prowess are limited; before divine reality one must cultivate humility, endurance, and devotion. The hero’s subduing becomes a prerequisite for receiving higher knowledge and divine weapons.
In the Kirāta episode, Śiva (as Devadeva) overpowers Arjuna; Arjuna’s limbs are pressed and immobilized so that he appears like a compacted lump, signaling Śiva’s supremacy and the testing of Arjuna’s resolve.