Shloka 51
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
सर्वरत्नविचित्रा च भूमि: पुष्पविभूषिता | मृगद्धिजाश्व॒ बहवो रुचिरा मधुरस्वरा:,अस्त्रैश्नाप्पन्वजानन्त संग्रामे विजयेन च । वहाँकी भूमि सब प्रकारके रत्नोंसे विचित्र शोभा धारण करती है और (सब ओर बिखरे हुए) पुष्प उस भूमिके लिये आभूषणका काम देते हैं। स्वर्गलोकमें बहुत-से मनोहर पशु और पक्षी देखे जाते हैं, जिनकी बोली बड़ी मधुर प्रतीत होती है। वहाँ अनेक देवता आकाशमें विमानोंपर विचरते दिखायी देते हैं। तदनन्तर मुझे वसु, रुद्र, साथ्य, मरुद्गण, आदित्य और अश्विनीकुमारोंके दर्शन हुए। मैंने उन सबके आगे मस्तक झुकाकर उनका सम्मान किया। उन सबने मुझे पराक्रमी, यशस्वी, तेजस्वी, बलवान, अस्त्रवेत्ता और संग्राम-विजयी होनेका आशीर्वाद दिया
sarvaratnavicitrā ca bhūmiḥ puṣpavibhūṣitā | mṛgad-dvijāś ca bahavo rucirā madhurasvarāḥ |
Arjuna said: “The ground there is adorned with every kind of jewel, and scattered flowers serve as its ornaments. Many delightful beasts and birds are seen, their calls sounding sweet to the ear.” In this vision of the heavenly realm, Arjuna describes a world of beauty and harmony that reflects divine order. The passage frames celestial splendor not as mere luxury, but as a sign of a realm where merit and right conduct bear visible fruit, preparing the listener for Arjuna’s subsequent encounter with the gods and the empowerment that supports righteous struggle.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents celestial beauty as an outward sign of inner order: where dharma and merit prevail, the environment itself becomes harmonious and auspicious. It subtly teaches that righteous conduct yields elevated states, and that divine realms embody refinement, balance, and purity.
Arjuna is recounting what he sees in a heavenly region: jewel-like ground, flower-ornamented land, and many sweet-voiced birds and animals. This description sets the scene for his later encounters with divine beings and the blessings that empower him for the coming conflict.