Shloka 81
Saumadatti-vadha and Bhīma–Alambusa-saṃyoga (सौमदत्तिवधः तथा भीमालम्बुससंयोगः)
इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि प्रतिज्ञापर्वणि अर्जुनस्य पुन: पाशुपतास्त्रप्राप्तौ एकाशीतितमो<ध्याय:
iti śrīmahābhārate droṇaparvaṇi pratijñāparvaṇi arjunasya punaḥ pāśupatāstraprāptau ekāśītitamo 'dhyāyaḥ
Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Droṇa Parva—specifically in the section called the Pratijñā Parva—ends the eighty-first chapter, describing Arjuna’s renewed attainment of the Pāśupata weapon. The colophon underscores the epic’s ethical frame: even amid vows and battlefield urgency, divine power is portrayed as something regained through worthiness and right conduct, not merely seized by force.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The colophon highlights an ethical principle common in the epic: extraordinary power (such as divine astras) is framed as something granted or regained through merit, discipline, and alignment with dharma—especially significant in a context of vows (pratijñā) and war.
This is the chapter-ending colophon stating that the eighty-first chapter of the Droṇa Parva (within the Pratijñā section) concludes, and that its subject is Arjuna’s renewed attainment of the Pāśupata weapon.