Shloka 536
Adhyāya 168: Arjuna’s counters to māyā-rains and the onset of darkness
Nivātakavaca engagement
अस्त्राणां प्रतिघाते च सर्वथैव प्रयोजयेत् । “अपनेसे अल्पशक्तिवाले विपक्षी पर यदि इसका प्रहार किया जाय तो यह सम्पूर्ण विश्वको दग्ध कर देगा। धनंजय! जब शत्रुके द्वारा अपनेको बहुत पीड़ा प्राप्त होने लगे, उस दशामें आत्मरक्षाके लिये इसका प्रयोग करना चाहिये। शत्रुके अस्त्रोंका विनाश करनेके लिये सर्वथा इसका प्रयोग उचित है”
arjuna uvāca | astrāṇāṁ pratighāte ca sarathaiva prayojayet |
Arjuna said: “This weapon should be employed, in every way, for countering weapons. If it is hurled against an opponent of lesser power, it would burn up the entire world. Therefore, O Dhanañjaya, when one is being grievously tormented by the enemy, it should be used for self-protection. To destroy the enemy’s missiles, its use is wholly appropriate.”
अजुन उवाच