Shloka 55

निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas

Vajra-astra deployment

Devanagari script

देवराजं सहस्राक्षमुपातिष्ठं कृताञ्जलि: । ददावर्धासनं प्रीत: शक्रो मे ददतां वर:,तत्पश्चात्‌ देव-गन्धर्वपूजित दिव्य अमरावतीपुरीमें प्रवेश करके मैंने हाथ जोड़कर सहस्र नेत्रोंवाले देवराज इन्द्रको प्रणाम किया। दाताओंमें श्रेष्ठ देवराज इन्द्रने प्रसन्न होकर मुझे अपने आधे सिंहासनपर स्थान दिया

Transliteration

devarājaṃ sahasrākṣam upātiṣṭhaṃ kṛtāñjaliḥ | dadāv ardhāsanaṃ prītaḥ śakro me dadatāṃ varaḥ ||

Translation

With palms joined in reverence, I approached the thousand-eyed king of the gods, Indra. Pleased by my humility, Śakra—foremost among givers—granted me a seat upon half of his own throne, honoring devotion and disciplined conduct with divine hospitality.

Word by Word

• {'devarāja': 'king of the gods (Indra)', 'sahasrākṣa': 'the thousand-eyed one

• epithet of Indra', 'upātiṣṭham (upātiṣṭhe/upa-atiṣṭham)': 'I approached

• I stood near in attendance', 'kṛtāñjaliḥ': 'with hands folded

• in a gesture of respectful salutation', 'prītaḥ': 'pleased

• delighted', 'śakra': 'Indra, the mighty one', 'ardhāsana': 'half-seat

• half of the throne', 'dadatām varaḥ': 'best among givers

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Arjuna
• Indra
• Śakra
• Sahasrākṣa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Respectful humility (kṛtāñjali) and disciplined approach to elders and benefactors are portrayed as virtues that invite honor and grace; true greatness is shown both in reverence by the seeker and generosity by the giver.

What is happening in the narrative?

Arjuna enters Indra’s presence, salutes him with folded hands, and Indra—pleased—offers Arjuna half of his own seat, publicly acknowledging him and extending divine hospitality.