Shloka 44
Vyāsa’s Counsel to Yudhiṣṭhira: Pratismṛti-vidyā, Arjuna’s Aśtra-Quest, and the Move to Kāmyaka
ब्राह्यया श्रिया दीप्यमानं पिड़लं जटिलं कृशम् | सोडब्रवीदर्जुनं तत्र स्थितं दृष्टत्वा महातपा:,वे अपने ब्रह्मतेजसे उदभासित हो रहे थे। उनकी अंगकान्ति पिंगलवर्णकी थी। सिरपर जटा बढ़ी हुई थी और शरीर अत्यन्त कृश था। उन महातपस्वीने अर्जुनको वहाँ खड़े हुए देखकर पूछा--
brāhmyā śriyā dīpyamānaṃ piṅgalaṃ jaṭilaṃ kṛśam | so ’bravīd arjunaṃ tatra sthitaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātapāḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：那位大苦行者以婆罗门的光辉照耀四方，肤色呈赤褐，发结成髻（jāṭā），形体极其清瘦。他见阿周那立于其前，便开口以一问相诘。此景凸显“苦行”（tapas）的道德威权与灵性光明——一种令人不得不肃然注目、并引出教诲或考验的力量。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights tapas as a source of moral and spiritual authority: the ascetic’s Brahmanical radiance signifies inner discipline and purity, positioning him as a figure who can question, guide, or test a warrior like Arjuna within the framework of dharma.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes a powerful ascetic—radiant, tawny-hued, matted-haired, and lean—who notices Arjuna standing nearby and begins to speak to him, initiating an encounter that typically leads to counsel, a test, or a significant exchange.