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 ।। युगपत् तं किरातस्तु विकृष्य बलवद् धनुः । अभ्याजचघ्ने दृढतरं कम्पयन्निव मे मन:,साथ ही किरातने भी अपने सुदृढ़ धनुषको खींचकर उसपर गहरी चोटकी, जिससे मेरा हृदय कम्पित-सा हो उठा
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 ||
Sinabi ni Arjuna: “Pagkaraan, kinuha ko ang aking busog at ang aking di-nauubos na lalagyan ng palaso, at tinamaan ko ng iisang palaso ang mabangis na baboy-ramo na nakapagpapakilabot. Sa mismong sandaling iyon, hinila rin ng Kirāta ang kanyang makapangyarihang busog hanggang sukdulan at tinamaan din ito ng mas matatag na hagupit—kaya’t ang aking puso’y wari’y nanginig.”
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.