Shloka 4
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
तदेतदेव गाण्डीवं तव पार्थ करोचितम् । मायामास्थाय यद् ग्रस्तं मया पुरुषसत्तम,पुरुषप्रवर पार्थ! तुम्हारे हाथमें रहनेयोग्य यही वह गाण्डीव धनुष है, जिसे मैंने मायाका आश्रय लेकर अपनेमें विलीन कर लिया था
tad etad eva gāṇḍīvaṃ tava pārtha karocitam | māyām āsthāya yad grastaṃ mayā puruṣasattama ||
主说道：“噢，帕尔塔，这正是那张甘狄婆弓，唯有它才配留在你手中。是我——依凭神圣的幻力（摩耶）——将它摄入自身，暂且隐匿。如今我把它归还于你，人中最胜者。”
देवदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and weapons are ethically meaningful only when rightly placed: the Gāṇḍīva belongs with Arjuna because he is the proper agent to wield it in accordance with dharma. The Lord’s māyā can withdraw or restore such power, emphasizing divine oversight and responsibility in its use.
Devadeva addresses Arjuna and identifies the bow as the very Gāṇḍīva meant for him. He explains that he had previously absorbed/hidden it within himself through māyā, and now returns it—affirming Arjuna’s role and readiness for the duties ahead.