Shloka 19
Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage
Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission
निष्काजड्दकृतापीडौ पञ्चशीर्षाविवोरगौ । तमृते पुरुषव्याप्र॑ नष्टसूर्यमिवाम्बरम्,जिनकी दोनों भुजाएँ लम्बी, मोटी, बराबर-बराबर तथा परिघके समान सुशोभित होनेवाली हैं, जिनपर प्रत्यज्चाकी रगड़का चिह्न बन गया है, जो गोलाकार हैं और जिनमें खड्ग एवं धनुष सुशोभित होते हैं, सोनेके भुजबन्दोंसे विभूषित होकर जो पाँच-पाँच फनवाले दो सर्पोंके समान प्रतीत होती है उन पाँचों अंगुलियोंसे युक्त दोनों भुजाओंसे विभूषित नरश्रेष्ठ अर्जुनके बिना आज यह वन सूर्यहीन आकाशके समान श्रीहीन दिखलायी देता है
niṣkājaḍḍakṛtāpīḍau pañcaśīrṣāv ivoragau | tam ṛte puruṣavyāghra naṣṭasūryam ivāmbaram ||
Wika ni Bhima: “Kung wala siya—ang tigre sa hanay ng mga tao—ang gubat na ito’y gaya ng langit na nawalan ng araw. Ang kanyang dalawang bisig ay mahahaba, dambuhala at magkasingtulad; may bakas ng kalyo sa pagkiskis ng tali ng busog; bilugan at maringal sa tabak at busog; at pinalalamutian ng gintong pulseras sa bisig, na wari’y dalawang ahas na may limang ulo. Kapag pinagkaitan ng gayong bayani, ang ilang ay tila hinubdan ng liwanag.”
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how a community’s morale and perceived ‘radiance’ can depend on the presence of a dharmic, capable protector; it also celebrates disciplined martial excellence (the bowstring’s mark) as a sign of duty and practice rather than mere ornament.
Bhīma expresses the desolation felt in Arjuna’s absence, using vivid heroic imagery—Arjuna’s powerful, weapon-bearing arms likened to twin five-hooded serpents—and concludes that the forest seems as bleak as a sunless sky without him.