Shloka 4
Arjuna’s Absence, Bhīma’s Kṣātra-Dharma Appeal, and Bṛhadaśva’s Arrival
Nala-Upākhyāna Begins
श्रुतं हि मे महाराज यथा पार्थेन संयुगे | एकादशतलतनु: स्थाणुर्धनुषा परितोषित:,राजेन्द्र! मैंने यह भी सुना है कि कुन्तीकुमार अर्जुनने एकादश मूर्तिधारी भगवान् शंकरको भी अपने धनुष-बाणकी कलाद्दारा संतुष्ट किया है
śrutaṃ hi me mahārāja yathā pārthena saṃyuge | ekādaśa-tala-tanuḥ sthāṇur dhanuṣā paritoṣitaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：“大王啊，我确曾听闻：在战阵之中，帕尔塔（阿周那）以精妙的弓术取悦了斯塔努（湿婆）——那位能现十一相之主。此事昭示：真正的武艺并非徒然的杀伐，而是以纪律锤炼的技艺，怀敬而奉，竟能赢得神明的认可。”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Excellence in action (especially martial skill) becomes ethically elevated when governed by discipline and reverence; the verse frames Arjuna’s prowess as something that can ‘please’ the divine, suggesting that power should be aligned with dharma and humility rather than ego.
Sañjaya reports to the king that he has heard of Arjuna, in a combat context, satisfying Śiva (called Sthāṇu) who is described as taking an elevenfold form—implying a celebrated episode where Arjuna’s archery and conduct win Śiva’s approval.