Shloka 1
Lokapāla-samāgamaḥ—Arjuna Receives Astras from the World-Guardians
Book 3, Chapter 42
हि आय न [हुक हि २ आम (इन्द्रलोकाभिगमनपर्व) द्विचत्वारिशो< ध्याय: अर्जुनका हिमालयसे विदा होकर मातलिके साथ स्वर्गलोकको प्रस्थान वैशम्पायन उवाच गतेषु लोकपालेषु पार्थ: शत्रुनिबर्हण: । चिन्तयामास राजेन्द्र देवराजरथं प्रति,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! लोकपालोंके चले जानेपर शत्रुसंहारक अर्जुनने देवराज इन्द्रके रथका चिन्तन किया
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gateṣu lokapāleṣu pārthaḥ śatrunibarhaṇaḥ | cintayāmāsa rājendra devarājarathaṃ prati ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O king (Janamejaya), after the guardians of the worlds had departed, Pārtha—Arjuna, the crusher of foes—turned his mind toward the chariot of the king of the gods (Indra).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharmic action begins with inner orientation: Arjuna’s disciplined contemplation turns toward a higher, divinely connected purpose, implying that right conduct is grounded in mindful resolve and receptivity to legitimate guidance.
After the Lokapālas leave, Arjuna (Pārtha) reflects upon Indra’s chariot—signaling his readiness to proceed toward the next stage of the story, associated with his onward movement under celestial auspices.