Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
ऊचुश्न पार्थ सर्वाणि प्राउज्जलीनि नृपात्मजम् । इमे सम परमोदारा: किंकरा: पाण्डुनन्दन,तब वे सब अस्त्र प्रकट होकर राजकुमार अर्जुनसे हाथ जोड़कर बोले--'पाण्डुनन्दन! ये हमलोग तुम्हारे परम उदार किंकर हैं"
ūcuḥ sma pārtha sarvāṇi prāñjalīni nṛpātmajam | ime sma paramodārāḥ kiṅkarāḥ pāṇḍunandana ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Da erschienen all jene göttlichen Waffen vor dem Prinzen Arjuna, standen mit gefalteten Händen da und sprachen: „O Sohn des Pāṇḍu, wir sind deine ergebensten und großmütigsten Diener, bereit, deinen Befehl auszuführen.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Even the greatest instruments of power are to be approached with reverence and governed by dharma. The weapons’ folded-hands posture symbolizes that strength must remain subordinate to righteous intent and disciplined self-control.
The divine weapons (astras), having become manifest, address Arjuna respectfully with joined palms, declaring themselves his attendants—signaling his mastery over them and their readiness to act only under his command.