Shloka 6
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
तत्रैनं लोकपालास्ते दर्शयामासुरर्जुनम् । अस्त्रहेतो: पराक्रान्तं तपसा कौरवर्षभम्,वहाँ अस्त्रप्राप्तिके लिये विशेष उद्योगशील कुरु-कुलरत्न अर्जुनको उनकी तपस्यासे प्रसन्न होकर उन लोकपालोंने भी दर्शन दिया था
tatrainaṁ lokapālāste darśayāmāsur arjunam | astr-hetoḥ parākrāntaṁ tapasā kauravarṣabham ||
Doon, ang mga Lokapāla (mga tagapangalaga ng mga daigdig), na nalugod sa kanyang pag-aayuno at pagninilay, ay nagkaloob kay Arjuna ng kanilang pagharap. Nang makita nila ang “toro sa angkan ng Kuru”—si Arjuna na masigasig at magiting, nagsasagawa ng penitensiya upang makamtan ang mga sandatang banal—nagpakita sila sa kanya, pinatutunayan na ang disiplinadong pagsisikap para sa matuwid na layon ay humihila ng paglingap ng mas mataas na kapangyarihan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Focused effort (parākrama) guided by a disciplined spiritual practice (tapas) and aimed at a legitimate duty—here, acquiring astras for a kṣatriya’s responsibility—invites divine support. The verse frames divine encounter not as random favor but as a response to purposeful self-control and resolve.
Arjuna is performing austerities to obtain celestial weapons. Pleased with his penance and intent, the Lokapālas appear and grant him their audience, signaling that his quest for astras is being acknowledged and supported by higher cosmic authorities.