Shloka 17
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
ततोऊहं प्रयतो भूत्वा प्रणिपत्य सुरर्षभान् । प्रत्यगृह्नं तदास्त्राणि महान्ति विधिवद् विभो,प्रभो! तब मैंने एकाग्रचित्त हो उन उत्तम देवताओंको प्रणाम करके उन सबसे विधिपूर्वक महान दिव्यास्त्र प्राप्त किये
tato ’haṁ prayato bhūtvā praṇipatya surarṣabhān | pratyagṛhṇaṁ tadāstrāṇi mahānti vidhivad vibho ||
Then, having composed myself with disciplined focus, I bowed down to those foremost among the gods. In due form and according to proper rite, I received from them the great celestial weapons—an episode that underscores that power is to be obtained through humility, reverence, and lawful procedure rather than through pride or force.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Extraordinary power (such as divine weapons) is to be approached through self-discipline, reverence, and adherence to proper procedure; legitimacy and humility are presented as ethical prerequisites for receiving potent means.
Arjuna, having become focused and restrained, bows to the foremost gods and formally receives great celestial weapons from them, marking his sanctioned preparation for future conflicts.