Shloka 57
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
अस्त्रार्थमवसं स्वर्गे शिक्षाणो<स्त्राणि भारत । विश्वावसोश्र वै पुत्रश्चित्रसेनो5$भवत् सखा,इतना ही नहीं, उन्होंने बड़े आदरके साथ मेरे अंगोंपर हाथ फेरा। यज्ञोंमें पूरी दक्षिणा देनेवाले भरतश्रेष्ठ) उस स्वर्गलोकमें देवताओं और गन्धर्वोके साथ अस्त्रविद्याकी प्राप्तिके लिये रहने लगा और प्रतिदिन अस्त्रोंका अभ्यास करने लगा। उस समय गन्धर्वराज विश्वावसुके पुत्र चित्रसेनके साथ मेरी मैत्री हो गयी थी
astrārtham avasaṁ svarge śikṣāṇo 'strāṇi bhārata | viśvāvasoś ca vai putraś citraseno 'bhavat sakhā ||
Arjuna said: “O Bhārata, dwelling in heaven for the sake of mastering weapons, I trained in the use of celestial missiles. There, Viśvāvasu’s son, the Gandharva Citraseṇa, became my friend.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Discipline and right preparation are part of dharma: Arjuna seeks higher training not for vanity but to become capable of protecting righteousness. The verse also highlights the ethical value of forming respectful alliances—even with celestial beings—through conduct and shared purpose.
Arjuna recounts his stay in Svarga where he practices and learns divine weapons. During this period he becomes friends with Citraseṇa, the son of the Gandharva Viśvāvasu, indicating Arjuna’s integration into the celestial sphere while pursuing martial knowledge.