Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 3
Dhruva Uses the Nārāyaṇāstra; Manu Checks His Wrath and Teaches Dharma
तस्यार्षास्त्रं धनुषि प्रयुञ्जत: सुवर्णपुङ्खा: कलहंसवासस: । विनि:सृता आविविशुर्द्विषद्बलं यथा वनं भीमरवा: शिखण्डिन: ॥ ३ ॥
tasyārṣāstraṁ dhanuṣi prayuñjataḥ suvarṇa-puṅkhāḥ kalahaṁsa-vāsasaḥ viniḥsṛtā āviviśur dviṣad-balaṁ yathā vanaṁ bhīma-ravāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ
Even as Dhruva Mahārāja fixed the weapon made by Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi onto his bow, arrows with golden shafts and feathers like the wings of a swan flew out from it. They entered the enemy soldiers with a great hissing sound, just as peacocks enter a forest with tumultuous crowing.
FAQs
This verse shows Dhruva employing an ārṣa-astra—sanctified by sages—so that his arrows powerfully pierce the opposing forces, implying that weapons used under dharma and higher sanction are effective and purposeful, not merely violent.
In Canto 4, Chapter 11, Dhruva confronts the Yakṣas after provocation and conflict; this verse describes the moment he deploys a sage-blessed weapon and overwhelms the enemy ranks.
Act with disciplined focus and moral authorization—use the right tools and guidance (like “ārṣa” wisdom) before confronting opposition, so your actions are effective and aligned with dharma rather than impulsive anger.