Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
मुहूर्त शरवर्ष तत् प्रतिगृह्ा पिनाकधृक् । अक्षतेन शरीरेण तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचल:,पिनाकथधारी शिव दो ही घड़ीमें सारी बाण-वर्षाको अपनेमें लीन करके पर्वतकी भाँति अविचल भावसे खड़े रहे। उनके शरीरपर तनिक भी चोट या क्षति नहीं पहुँची थी
muhūrtaṃ śaravarṣaṃ tat pratigṛhya pinākadhṛk | akṣatena śarīreṇa tasthau girir ivācalaḥ ||
На краткое время держащий Пинаку вобрал в себя весь тот ливень стрел. Его тело осталось совершенно невредимым, и он стоял неподвижно — неколебим, как гора, — являя непобедимое самообладание и власть над собой среди насилия.
किरयात उवाच
True power is shown not merely by striking back but by unshaken steadiness under attack. The verse highlights divine self-mastery—remaining unharmed and unmoved—implying that spiritual strength and composure surpass outward violence.
In the Kirātārjunīya episode, the Kirāta (Śiva in disguise) receives a fierce rain of arrows without injury. He stands motionless like a mountain, demonstrating his superiority and testing the opponent’s resolve.