Shloka 69
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
प्रतिजानीष्व त॑ कर्तु ततो वेत्स्याम्यहं परम् । ततो5हमन्रुवं राजन् देवराजमिदं वच:,“तुम उसे देनेकी प्रतिज्ञा करो, तब मैं अपने महान् कार्यको तुम्हें बताऊँगा।” राजन्! यह सुनकर मैंने देवराजसे कहा--'भगवन्! जो कुछ मैं कर सकता हूँ, उसे किया हुआ ही समझिये।” नरेश्वरर तब बल और वृत्रासुरके शत्रु इन्द्रने मुझसे हँसते हुए कहा --
pratijānīṣva taṁ kartuṁ tato vetsyāmy ahaṁ param | tato ’ham abruvaṁ rājan devarājam idaṁ vacaḥ |
Arjuna said: “Promise to grant it; then I shall reveal to you the greater purpose.” Hearing this, O King, I addressed Indra, the lord of the gods: “Blessed one, whatever lies within my power—consider it already done.” Then Indra, the mighty slayer of Vṛtra, smiling, spoke to me.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights ethical reciprocity and integrity: a pledge should be clearly made before a significant undertaking is disclosed, and once one commits, one should act with steadfast resolve—especially in dealings involving boons, duties, and divine obligations.
Arjuna asks Indra to promise a grant (a boon or commitment) before Arjuna reveals his greater plan. After Indra hears this, Arjuna assures him that whatever he can do will be done, and Indra—identified as the slayer of Vṛtra—smiles and responds.