Shloka 18
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
गृहीतास्त्रस्ततो देवैरनुज्ञातो5स्मि भारत । अथ देवा ययु: सर्वे यथागतमरिंदम,भारत! जब मैं अस्त्र ग्रहण कर चुका तब देवताओंने मुझे जानेकी आज्ञा दी। शत्रुदमन! तदनन्तर सब देवता जैसे आये थे, वैसे अपने-अपने स्थानको चले गये
gṛhītāstras tato devair anujñāto ’smi bhārata | atha devā yayuḥ sarve yathāgatam arindama ||
Arjuna said: “O Bhārata, after I had received the divine weapons, the gods granted me leave to depart. Then, O subduer of foes, all the gods returned each to his own abode, just as they had come.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and capability (here, divine weapons) are to be received and used within dharmic bounds—through rightful authorization, restraint, and respect for higher order. The gods’ formal permission underscores propriety and humility rather than self-willed action.
Arjuna reports to Yudhiṣṭhira that he has obtained the celestial weapons. After this, the assembled gods give him leave to go, and they themselves depart back to their respective realms, just as they had arrived.