Shloka 15
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
ततो<हं वचनात् तस्य गिरिमारुह्मु शैशिरम् । तपो5तप्यं महाराज मासं मूलूफलाशन:,महाराज! उनके इस आदेशको मानकर मैं हिमालय पर्वतपर आरूढ़ हो तपस्यामें संलग्न हो गया और एक मासतक केवल फल-फूल खाकर रहा
tato 'haṃ vacanāt tasya girim āruhya śaiśiram | tapo 'tapyam mahārāja māsaṃ mūla-phalāśanaḥ ||
اے مہاراج! اس کے فرمان کے مطابق میں سرد پہاڑ پر چڑھا اور تپسیا میں لگ گیا؛ ایک ماہ تک میں صرف جڑیں اور پھل کھا کر رہا۔
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes disciplined obedience to a legitimate instruction and the dharmic value of self-restraint (tapas). By accepting hardship—cold, solitude, and a restricted diet—one cultivates steadiness, merit, and readiness for higher aims.
Arjuna reports to the king that, following someone’s directive, he climbed a cold mountain (Himālaya) and performed austerities. He maintained a strict regimen for a month, living only on roots and fruits as part of his ascetic practice.