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 ||
Sa sandaling iyon, ang may hawak ng Pināka ay inangkin sa sarili ang buong ulang-palaso. Nanatiling walang pinsala ang kanyang katawan, at siya’y tumindig na di matinag—matatag na parang bundok—ipinamalas ang di-matitinag na kapanatagan at ganap na paghahari sa gitna ng karahasan.
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.