Shloka 17
Divyāstrāṇāṃ Pradarśana-nivāraṇa
Display of Divine Weapons and Its Prohibition
सुराणामसुराणां च संग्राम: सुमहानभूत् । अमृतार्थ पुरा पार्थ स च दृष्टो मयानघ,“निष्पाप कुन्तीकुमार! प्राचीन कालमें अमृतकी प्राप्तिके लिये देवताओं और दैत्योंमें अत्यन्त घोर संग्राम हुआ था, जिसे मैंने अपनी आँखों देखा है
surāṇām asurāṇāṁ ca saṅgrāmaḥ sumahān abhūt | amṛtārthaṁ purā pārtha sa ca dṛṣṭo mayānagha ||
Arjuna said: “O Pārtha, in ancient times there arose a truly immense war between the gods and the asuras for the sake of obtaining amṛta (the nectar of immortality). O sinless one, I myself witnessed that battle with my own eyes.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how even exalted beings can be driven into catastrophic conflict by craving for extraordinary gain (amṛta). It implicitly cautions that desire for power or immortality can eclipse restraint and lead to great violence, making ethical self-governance essential.
Arjuna begins recounting an ancient episode: a massive battle between the devas and asuras over amṛta. He frames it as an eyewitness account, lending authority to the forthcoming narration.