Shloka 49
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
“वीर! ओज और तेजमें तुम्हारे-जैसा दूसरा कोई पुरुष नहीं है!” इस प्रकार उन ब्रह्मर्षिने हँसते हुए-से बार-बार अर्जुनसे धनुषको त्याग देनेकी बात कही। परंतु अर्जुन धनुष न त्यागनेका दृढ़ निश्चय कर चुके थे; अतः ब्रह्मर्षि उन्हें धैर्यसे विचलित नहीं कर सके ।। तमुवाच तत: प्रीत: स द्विज: प्रहसन्निव । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते शक्रोडहमरिसूदन,तब उन ब्राह्मण देवताने पुनः प्रसन्न होकर उनसे हँसते हुए-से कहा--“शत्रुसूदन! तुम्हारा भला हो, मैं साक्षात् इन्द्र हूँ, मुझसे कोई वर माँगो'
tam uvāca tataḥ prītaḥ sa dvijaḥ prahasann iva | varaṁ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṁ te śakro ’ham arisūdana ||
అప్పుడు ఆ ద్విజుడు సంతోషించి, చిరునవ్వుతోనట్టుగా పలికెను—“అరిసూదనా! నీకు మంగళం కలుగుగాక. ఒక వరం కోరుకో; నేను శక్రుడను—ఇంద్రుడను.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Firm resolve (dhṛti) and disciplined self-mastery are essential to kṣatriya excellence; when one does not abandon one’s rightful duty or chosen instrument of dharma under pressure, even divine powers acknowledge that integrity and reward it appropriately.
A brahmin-like figure who has been urging Arjuna to give up his bow—testing his determination—becomes pleased at Arjuna’s unwavering refusal. He then reveals himself as Indra (Śakra) and invites Arjuna to choose a boon.