Shloka 213
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 53: Arjuna’s Jayadratha-vadha Pratijñā and Droṇa’s Protective Vyūha (शकटा-पद्म व्यूहः)
मम त्वं हि नियोगेन ततः श्रेयो हुवाप्स्यसि । 'देवि! तू संहारबुद्धिसे मेरे रोषद्वारा प्रकट हुई है, इसलिये मूर्ख और पण्डित सभी प्रजाओंका संहार करती रह, मेरी आज्ञासे तुझे यह कार्य करना होगा। इससे तू कल्याण प्राप्त करेगी”
mama tvaṁ hi niyogena tataḥ śreyo huvāpsyasi |
قال نارادا: «حقًّا، بإنفاذك أمري تنالين بعد ذلك ما هو مباركٌ حقًّا. أيتها الإلهة—لأنكِ قد نشأتِ من غضبي بعزمِ الإهلاك—فامضِي في إهلاك جميع الكائنات، أكانوا جهّالًا أم علماء؛ وبأمري يجب عليكِ أداء هذه المهمة. وبهذا تنالين العافية والخير.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames action under niyoga (authoritative injunction): even a fearsome act like destruction is presented as duty when mandated by a higher cosmic authority, with the claim that obedience to the ordained role leads to śreyaḥ (welfare). It raises ethical tension between compassion and role-based duty in a divinely ordered narrative.
Nārada addresses a Devī who has manifested from his anger with a destructive purpose. He instructs her to continue the work of annihilating beings—without distinction between the ignorant and the learned—and assures her that fulfilling his command will bring her auspicious attainment.