Shloka 37
Śiva Grants the Pāśupata Astra (Pāśupata-Śastra Upadeśa) | शिवेन पाशुपतास्त्रदानम्
मत्तश्वैव भवानाशा गृल्लात्वस्त्रमनुत्तमम् | अनेन त्वमनीकानि धार्तराष्ट्रस्य धक्ष्यसि,“तुम मुझसे शीघ्र ही इस अत्युत्तम अस्त्रको ग्रहण कर लो। तुम इसके द्वारा दुर्योधनकी सारी सेनाओंको जलाकर भस्म कर डालोगे
mattaś caiva bhavān āśu gṛhṇātu astram anuttamam | anena tvam anīkāni dhārtarāṣṭrasya dhakṣyasi ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Terimalah segera dariku senjata yang tiada banding ini. Dengan itu engkau akan membakar hingga menjadi abu seluruh formasi tempur putra Dhṛtarāṣṭra.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of possessing extraordinary power: a supreme weapon can end conflict swiftly, but its use implies massive destruction, inviting reflection on restraint, rightful intent, and dharmic limits in warfare.
The narrator reports a moment where an unsurpassed weapon is being offered to a warrior, with the assurance that it can incinerate Duryodhana’s forces—signaling escalation and the looming devastation of the Kurukṣetra conflict.