Shloka 22
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
तब मैंने धनुष तथा अक्षय तरकस लेकर एक बाणके द्वारा उस रोमांचकारी सूकरपर आघात किया ।।
arjuna uvāca | tadāhaṃ dhanuṣā cākṣaya-tuṇīraṃ gṛhītvā ekena bāṇena taṃ romaharṣaṇaṃ sūkaraṃ jaghāna | yugapat taṃ kirātas tu vikṛṣya balavad dhanuḥ abhyājaghne dṛḍhataraṃ kampayann iva me manaḥ ||
ततोऽहं धनुः अक्षयतरकसं च गृहीत्वा एकेन बाणेन तं रोमाञ्चकरं सूकरं ताडितवान्। युगपत् तु स किरातोऽपि बलवद् धनुर्विकृष्य दृढतरं तमभ्याजघान, येन मे मन इव कम्पितम्।
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a great hero’s prowess is tested to curb pride and refine discernment; the episode underscores that true strength must be joined with humility and respect for dharma, especially when the divine may appear in ordinary guise.
Arjuna shoots a fearsome boar with a single arrow, but at the same instant a Kirāta hunter also strikes it powerfully. The simultaneous hit sets up a dispute over rightful claim and becomes the turning point of Arjuna’s encounter with Śiva in disguise.