Shloka 37
रुद्राक्ष वसवश्चैव मरुतशक्ष महाबला:,कृष्णपार्थो जिघांसन्तः प्रतीयुर्विविधायुधा: । रुद्र, वसु, महाबली मरुदगण, विश्वेदेव तथा अपने तेजसे प्रकाशित होनेवाले साध्यगण --ये और दूसरे बहुत-से देवता नाना प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्र लेकर उन पुरुषोतम श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे उनकी ओर बढ़े
vaiśampāyana uvāca | rudrākṣa vasavaś caiva marutaś ca mahābalāḥ | kṛṣṇapārtho jighāṃsantaḥ pratīyur vividhāyudhāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The Rudras, the Vasus, and the mighty Maruts—bearing diverse weapons—advanced toward Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, intent on killing them. The scene underscores how even exalted celestial powers, when swept into hostility and factional purpose, can turn their strength toward violence, setting the stage for a grave moral conflict where force is marshalled against the very embodiments of righteous resolve.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that power—even divine power—can be directed by intention; when intention turns toward harm, conflict escalates regardless of status. Ethically, it foregrounds the primacy of right purpose (dharma-aligned intent) over mere might.
A host of deities—the Rudras, Vasus, and Maruts—approach Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, armed with many kinds of weapons, with the explicit aim of killing them, intensifying the confrontation around these two heroes.