Shloka 42
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
दर्शयामास मे राजन् विमानानि च भारत | स रथो हरिभिरयुक्तो हार्ध्वमाचक्रमे तत:,'कुरुश्रेष्ठ! तुम्हारी ये सब बातें मुझे इन्द्रसे भी बढ़कर प्रतीत हो रही हैं।' भरतकुलभूषण नरेश! ऐसा कहकर मातलिने अन्तरिक्षलोकमें प्रविष्ट होकर मुझे देवताओंके घरों और विमानोंका दर्शन कराया, फिर हरे रंगके घोड़ोंसे जुता हुआ वह रथ वहाँसे भी ऊपरकी ओर बढ़ चला
arjuna uvāca | darśayāmāsa me rājan vimānāni ca bhārata | sa ratho haribhir yukto ūrdhvam ācakrame tataḥ ||
Arjuna sprach: „O König, o Spross aus Bharatas Geschlecht – Mātali zeigte mir die himmlischen Paläste und die Luftwagen der Götter. Dann erhob sich jener Wagen, an gelblich-grün schimmernde Rosse gespannt, von dort in höhere Regionen des Himmels.“
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that extraordinary experiences (like entering celestial realms) are not pursued as mere spectacle; they occur within a framework of rightful guidance and purpose. Arjuna’s ascent is mediated by Mātali, suggesting disciplined, authorized access to higher domains rather than impulsive or ego-driven seeking.
Arjuna narrates to the king that Mātali led him into the sky, showed him the dwellings of the gods and various vimānas, and then the chariot—yoked with tawny-green horses—continued to rise further upward.