Shloka 59
Arjuna’s Himalayan Departure and the Commencement of Severe Tapas
Janamejaya’s Inquiry; Sages Approach Śiva
जघानाथ ततो जिष्णु: किरातमुरसा बली । पाण्डवं च विचेष्ट॑ तं किरातो5प्यहनद् बली,तत्पश्चात् बलवान् वीर अर्जुनने अपनी छातीसे किरातको बड़े जोरसे मारा, तब महाबली किरातने भी विपरीत चेष्टा करनेवाले पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुन॒पर आघात किया
jaghāna atha tato jiṣṇuḥ kirātam urasā balī | pāṇḍavaṃ ca viceṣṭaṃ taṃ kirāto 'py ahanad balī ||
Pagkaraan, hinampas ni Jiṣṇu (Arjuna) na makapangyarihan ang Kirāta nang buong lakas sa dibdib. At ang Kirāta na malakas din ay gumanti, tinamaan ang Pāṇḍava na patuloy na kumikilos at sumasalag—kaya lalo pang tumindi ang tunggalian: lakas laban sa lakas, sa matatag na pagpapasya.
किरयात उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast effort and courage are tested through resistance: true strength is shown not merely by striking, but by enduring and responding with disciplined resolve. The episode also frames conflict as a proving-ground where the divine may test a seeker’s worthiness.
Arjuna (called Jiṣṇu) and the Kirāta engage in close combat. Arjuna strikes the Kirāta on the chest; the Kirāta immediately retaliates against Arjuna, who is actively contending—showing an evenly matched, escalating duel.