Shloka 113
Vāsudeva-Māhātmya: Duryodhana’s Inquiry and Bhīṣma’s Theological Account of Keśava
ततो भुजाभ्यां बलवद् विकृष्य चित्र धनुर्गाण्डिवमप्रमेयम् । माहेन्द्रमस्त्रं विधिवत् सुघोरं प्रादुश्षकाराद्भुतमन्तरिक्षे,तदनन्तर अप्रमेय शक्तिशाली विचित्र गाण्डीव धनुषको दोनों भुजाओंसे बलपूर्वक खींचकर अर्जुनने विधिपूर्वक अत्यन्त भयंकर माहेन्द्र अस्त्रको प्रकट किया। वह अदभुत अस्त्र अन्तरिक्षमें चमक उठा
tato bhujābhyāṁ balavad vikṛṣya citra-dhanur gāṇḍīvam aprameyam | māhendram astraṁ vidhivat sughoraṁ prāduṣṣakārādbhutam antarīkṣe ||
Sañjaya said: Then, drawing back with both arms and great force the wondrous, immeasurable bow Gāṇḍīva, Arjuna duly manifested the exceedingly dreadful Māhendra weapon. That marvelous missile blazed forth in the sky.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, power is to be exercised within dharmic restraint: Arjuna’s use of a terrifying divine weapon is described as vidhivat—properly invoked—highlighting that righteous conduct includes disciplined, rule-bound action rather than uncontrolled violence.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna forcefully draws his bow Gāṇḍīva and, following the correct procedure, manifests the Māhendra astra. The weapon appears and shines in the sky, marking a dramatic intensification of the battle.