Shloka 8
ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सुर्दिव्यमैन्द्रे महारथ: । अस्त्रमादित्यसंकाशं गाण्डीवे समयोजयत्,तब महारथी अर्जुनने हँसकर गाण्डीव धनुषपर सूर्यके समान तेजस्वी दिव्य ऐन्द्रास्त्रका संधान किया
tataḥ prahasya bībhatsur divyam aindre mahārathaḥ | astram āditya-saṅkāśaṃ gāṇḍīve samayojayat ||
Then Arjuna—called Bībhatsu, the great chariot-warrior—smiled and, with calm confidence, fitted to the Gāṇḍīva the divine weapon of Indra, blazing like the sun. The moment signaled not mere display of power, but the disciplined, rightful use of celestial force in a dharmic battle, where mastery was joined to restraint and purpose.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in the Mahābhārata is ethically framed: even divine weaponry is to be employed with discipline, legitimacy, and purpose. Arjuna’s composed smile and precise ‘sanding’ of the astra emphasize mastery and restraint rather than rage or cruelty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Arjuna (Bībhatsu), the great warrior, smiles and prepares the Gāṇḍīva by setting a radiant, Indra-given celestial weapon upon it—signaling readiness to confront the impending threat with superior, divinely sanctioned force.