Shloka 23
Divyāstrāṇāṃ Pradarśana-nivāraṇa
Display of Divine Weapons and Its Prohibition
अब्र॒ुवं मातलिं भीत॑ं पश्य मे भुजयोर्बलम् | अस्त्राणां च प्रभावं वै धनुषो गाण्डिवस्थ च,मातलिका यह वचन सुनकर मैंने स्वयं ही अपने-आपको सँभाला और दानवोंके उस महान् मायाबलका निवारण करते हुए भयभीत मातलिसे कहा--'सूत! आप डरें मत। स्थिरतापूर्वक रथपर बैठे रहें और देखें, मेरी इन भुजाओंमें कितना बल है? मेरे गाण्डीव धनुष तथा अस्त्रोंका कैसा प्रभाव है? आज मैं अपने अस्त्रोंकी मायासे इन दानवोंकी इस भयंकर माया तथा घोर अन्धकारका विनाश किये देता हूँ
arjuna uvāca | abruvaṁ mātaliṁ bhītaṁ paśya me bhujayor balam | astrāṇāṁ ca prabhāvaṁ vai dhanuṣo gāṇḍīvasya ca ||
Arjuna said: “O frightened Mātali, look upon the strength of my two arms, and indeed the power of my weapons and of the Gāṇḍīva bow. Do not be afraid; remain steady upon the chariot. By the might of my divine missiles I shall dispel this terrible demonic illusion and the dense darkness it has cast.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Courage joined with responsibility: Arjuna steadies a fearful companion and affirms disciplined confidence in his rightful strength and skill, using power not for boastfulness but to protect and to counter destructive deception (māyā).
During a confrontation involving demonic illusion and darkness, Mātali becomes afraid. Arjuna addresses him directly, urging him to remain steady on the chariot and declaring that he will demonstrate the power of his arms, the Gāṇḍīva bow, and his astras to destroy the demons’ terrifying māyā.