Shloka 17
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
स ददर्श ततो जिष्णु: पुरुषं काउचनप्रभम् । किरातवेषसंच्छन्नं सत्रीसहायममित्रहा,इसी समय शत्रुनाशक अर्जुनने सुवर्णके समान कान्तिमान् एक तेजस्वी पुरुषको देखा, जो स्त्रियोंक साथ आकर अपनेको किरातवेषमें छिपाये हुए थे। तब कुन्तीकुमारने प्रसन्नचित्त होकर हँसते हुए-से कहा--“आप कौन हैं जो इस सूने वनमें स्त्रियोंसे घिरे हुए घूम रहे हैं?
sa dadarśa tato jiṣṇuḥ puruṣaṃ kāñcanaprabhām | kirātaveṣasaṃchannaṃ sa-strī-sahāyam amitrahā ||
Pagkaraan, si Jiṣṇu (Arjuna), ang mamumuksa ng kaaway, ay nakakita ng isang lalaking maningning na tila ginto, puspos ng ningning, na nagkubli sa anyong Kirāta (mangangaso ng kabundukan) at may kasamang mga babae. Sa gitna ng masukal at tahimik na gubat, nang masilayan ang kakaibang tanawing iyon, si Arjuna—magaan ang loob—ay nagsalita na wari’y nakangiti, at nagtanong kung sino siya na naglalagalag doon na napalilibutan ng mga babae.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights alertness and discernment: even in solitude, a dharmic warrior remains watchful, questioning appearances and motives—especially when something seems out of place (a ‘Kirāta’ figure moving with women in a deserted forest).
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna notices a striking, gold-radiant man who is hiding his identity under a Kirāta hunter’s costume and is accompanied by women; Arjuna, amused yet cautious, prepares to question him.