Shloka 27
Aśvatthāman’s Admonition to Karṇa on Boasting, Varṇa-Duties, and the Threat of Arjuna
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 45
ऊचुश्न पार्थ सर्वाणि प्राउज्जलीनि नृपात्मजम् । इमे सम परमोदारा: किंकरा: पाण्डुनन्दन,तब वे सब अस्त्र प्रकट होकर राजकुमार अर्जुनसे हाथ जोड़कर बोले--'पाण्डुनन्दन! ये हमलोग तुम्हारे परम उदार किंकर हैं"
ūcuḥ sma pārtha sarvāṇi prāñjalīni nṛpātmajam | ime sma paramodārāḥ kiṅkarāḥ pāṇḍunandana ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then all those divine weapons, manifest before the prince Arjuna, stood with folded hands and spoke: “O son of Pāṇḍu, we are your most devoted and generous attendants, ready to serve your command.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the greatest instruments of power are to be approached with reverence and governed by dharma. The weapons’ folded-hands posture symbolizes that strength must remain subordinate to righteous intent and disciplined self-control.
The divine weapons (astras), having become manifest, address Arjuna respectfully with joined palms, declaring themselves his attendants—signaling his mastery over them and their readiness to act only under his command.