Shloka 4
Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)
तब पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनने मन-ही-मन भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण और शिवकी पूजा करके भगवान् शंकरसे कहा--'प्रभो! मैं आपसे दिव्य अस्त्र प्राप्त करना चाहता हूँ ।। ततः पार्थस्य विज्ञाय वरार्थे वचनं तदा । वासुदेवार्जुनौ देव: स्मपमानो5भ्यभाषत,उस समय अर्जुनका वर-प्राप्तिके लिये वह वचन सुनकर महादेवजी मुसकराने लगे और श्रीकृष्ण तथा अर्जुनसे बोले--
tataḥ pāṇḍuputra arjunena manaḥ-manasā bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇaśiva-pūjāṃ kṛtvā bhagavantaṃ śaṅkaraṃ proktam— “prabho! ahaṃ tvattaḥ divyāstrāṇi prāptum icchāmi।”
tataḥ pārthasya vijñāya varārthe vacanaṃ tadā |
vāsudevārjunau devaḥ smayamāno ’bhyabhāṣata ||
Then Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, inwardly worshipped Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Lord Śiva, and addressed Lord Śaṅkara: “O Master, I wish to obtain divine weapons from you.” Hearing Pārtha’s request for a boon, the great God (Śiva) smiled and spoke to Vāsudeva and Arjuna.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power (divine weapons) is sought through reverence and inner discipline, not mere ambition. Arjuna’s mental worship and humble petition show that even in war, rightful means—devotion, restraint, and seeking divine sanction—frame the pursuit of strength within dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Arjuna, preparing for the great conflict, inwardly worships Kṛṣṇa and Śiva and asks Śaṅkara for divine weapons. Śiva understands the request for a boon, smiles, and begins to address Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.