Shloka 3
Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)
उन्होंने अपने द्वारा समर्पित किये हुए रात्रिकालके उस नैत्यिक उपहारको, जिसे श्रीकृष्णको निवेदित किया था, भगवान् त्रिनेत्रधारी शिवके समीप रखा हुआ देखा ।। ततो5भिपूज्य मनसा कृष्णं शर्व च पाण्डव: । इच्छाम्यहं दिव्यमस्त्रमित्यभाषत शड्करम्
tato 'bhipūjya manasā kṛṣṇaṃ śarvaṃ ca pāṇḍavaḥ | icchāmy ahaṃ divyam astram ity abhāṣata śaṅkaram ||
He saw that nightly offering, which he had himself presented and dedicated to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, set down near the Three-eyed Śiva. Then the Pāṇḍava, having inwardly paid reverence to both Kṛṣṇa and Śarva (Śiva), addressed Śaṅkara, saying, “I desire a divine weapon.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war, extraordinary power (divya astra) is not to be seized impulsively; it is to be sought through reverence, inner discipline, and rightful authorization. The verse emphasizes humility before the divine and the ethical framing of strength as a responsibility rather than entitlement.
Sañjaya narrates that the Pāṇḍava (contextually Arjuna) mentally honors Kṛṣṇa and Śiva (Śarva/Śaṅkara) and then directly petitions Śiva for a divine weapon, setting up the acquisition of celestial arms needed for the unfolding battles.