Shloka 5
Brahmaśirastra-pratisaṃhāra — Retraction and redirection of the supreme weapon
Sauptika Parva, Adhyāya 15
इत्युक्त्वा संजहारास्त्रं पुनरेवं धनंजय: । संहारो दुष्करस्तस्य देवैरपि हि संयुगे
ity uktvā saṃjahārāstraṃ punar evaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ | saṃhāro duṣkaras tasya devair api hi saṃyuge ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Having spoken thus, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) withdrew the weapon again. In the press of battle, the act of recalling that divine missile was exceedingly difficult—even for the gods—highlighting both the peril of unleashing such power and the rare discipline required to restrain it once released.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores restraint and responsibility: the true mastery of power is not merely releasing a formidable weapon but being able to withdraw it, preventing needless destruction even amid war.
After making a statement (contextually, a decision or warning), Arjuna retracts the astra he had invoked. The narrator emphasizes that recalling such a weapon in the heat of combat is extraordinarily difficult—even for the gods—thereby magnifying Arjuna’s exceptional control.