Shloka 3
Svargārohaṇa-parva, Adhyāya 4 — Yudhiṣṭhira’s Vision of the Celestial Assembly
Recognition and Explanation
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत स्वर्गायेहरणपर्वमें युधिष्ठिरका देहत्यागविषयक तीसरा अध्याय पूरा हुआ
vaishampāyana uvāca |
dīpyamānaṃ svavapuṣā divyair astrair upasthitam |
cakra-prabhṛtibhiḥ ghorair divyaiḥ puruṣa-vigrahaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: He shone with the radiance of his own celestial form. Around him stood the divine weapons—terrible in power—beginning with the discus, each assuming a personified shape, as if attending upon him in service.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse suggests that power (even martial power) is ethically meaningful only when subordinated to dharma. The personified divine weapons standing in attendance symbolize disciplined force—authority that serves righteousness rather than ego or cruelty.
A radiant, divine figure is described as being attended by celestial weapons—starting with the discus—each appearing in personified form. This imagery marks a transition into a heavenly, supra-human setting where divine order is visibly manifested.