Shloka 25
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
इन्द्र रवाच क्रूरकर्मास्त्रवित् तात भविष्यसि परंतप । यदर्थमस्त्राणीप्सुस्त्वं तं काम॑ पाण्डवाप्रुहि,इन्द्रने कहा--परंतप तात अर्जुन! दिव्य अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंका ज्ञान प्राप्त कर लेनेपर तुम भयंकर कर्म करने लगोगे। अतः पाण्डुनन्दन! मेरी इच्छा है कि तुम जिसके लिये अस्त्रोंकी शिक्षा प्राप्त करना चाहते हो, तुम्हारा वह उद्देश्य पूर्ण हो
indra uvāca—krūrakarmāstravit, tāta, bhaviṣyasi parantapa | yad-artham astrāṇīpsus tvaṁ taṁ kāmaṁ pāṇḍavābrūhi ||
Indra said: “Dear child, O scorcher of foes, once you become a master of weapons you may be driven to terrible deeds. Therefore, O son of Pāṇḍu, tell me plainly the desire and purpose for which you seek instruction in these weapons—so that your aim may be rightly fulfilled.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and skill—especially mastery of weapons—must be governed by intention and dharma. Indra warns that weapon-knowledge can lead to cruel acts unless the seeker’s purpose is examined and kept righteous.
Indra addresses Arjuna, cautioning him about the moral danger of becoming a master of divine weapons, and asks Arjuna to state clearly the purpose for which he seeks such training, so that it may be granted appropriately.