Shloka 16
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
सुरकार्यार्थसिद्धयर्थ दृष्टवानसि शड्करम् | अस्मत्तो5पि गृहाण त्वमस्त्राणीति समन्ततः,“देवताओंके कार्यकी सिद्धिके लिये ही तुम्हें भगवान् शंकरका दर्शन प्राप्त हुआ था। अब तुम चारों ओर घूमकर हमलोगोंसे भी दिव्यास्त्र ग्रहण करो”
arjuna uvāca |
surakāryārthasiddhyarthaṃ dṛṣṭavān asi śaṅkaram |
asmatto 'pi gṛhāṇa tvaṃ astrāṇīti samantataḥ ||
Arjuna said: “It was for the successful accomplishment of the gods’ purpose that you obtained the vision of Śaṅkara. Now, moving about in every direction, receive divine weapons from us as well.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Divine encounters are not merely personal achievements; they are tied to a larger dharmic purpose. The verse frames spiritual attainment (Śiva’s vision) as instrumental for protecting cosmic order, and it urges responsible use of power—acquiring weapons for a righteous objective rather than for pride.
Arjuna addresses the recipient of the statement (contextually, the hero who has obtained Śiva’s vision) and interprets that vision as meant to fulfill the gods’ mission. He then invites him to accept additional divine weapons from their side as well, gathering resources broadly (‘in every direction’) for the coming struggle.