Shloka 45
अर्जुनस्य अन्त्येष्टि, द्वारकाप्लावनम्, कलिप्रवेशः, कालोपदेशः
अस्त्राणां सायकानां च गाण्डीवस्य तथा मम सारता याभवन् मूर्ता स गतः पुरुषोत्तमः
astrāṇāṃ sāyakānāṃ ca gāṇḍīvasya tathā mama sāratā yābhavan mūrtā sa gataḥ puruṣottamaḥ
He who had become embodied as the very excellence of weapons and arrows—who was the living mastery of Gāṇḍīva, and even the strength within me—has departed: that Supreme Person, Puruṣottama.
Sage Parāśara (narrating to Maitreya; the line reflects Arjuna’s lament as reported in the narrative)
Avatara: Krishna
Purpose: To remove the earth’s burden by destroying adharma-aligned kings and to re-establish dharma through divine guidance.
Leela: Loka-rakshana
Dharma Restored: Kshatriya-dharma ordered under divine will; protection of cosmic and social order through righteous sovereignty
Concept: The Lord is the inner potency behind all excellence—strength, skill, and mastery—and His withdrawal reveals the dependence of all power upon Him.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Attribute successes to the indwelling Lord rather than ego, cultivating humility and steady remembrance when capacities decline.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms antaryāmin: individual prowess is a mode (prakāra) supported by the Supreme Person, not independent.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Antaryamin: Yes
FAQs
It signals the withdrawal of the Lord’s manifest support from worldly affairs—showing that all excellence and protection ultimately rest in Vishnu’s presence.
Through the narrative of Arjuna’s realization: his mastery of weapons and even the power of Gāṇḍīva were effective because the Supreme Lord was the inner essence behind them.
The verse frames Vishnu/Krishna as the indwelling source of capability (sāratā) and sovereignty—supporting a Vaishnava view where all power is dependent on the Supreme Person.