Shloka 79
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
५ क्र तानब्रुवं यथाभूतमिदं कर्तास्मि संयुगे । निवातकवचानां तु प्रस्थितं मां वधैषिणम्,तब मैंने उनसे सब बातें बताकर कहा---'मैं युद्धमें यही करने जा रहा हूँ। आपको यह ज्ञात होना चाहिये कि मैं निवातकवच नामक दानवोंके वधकी इच्छासे प्रस्थित हुआ हूँ। अतः निष्पाप एवं महाभाग देवताओ! आप मुझे ऐसा आशीर्वाद दें, जिससे मेरा मंगल हो।' राजन! तब वे देवतालोग प्रसन्न हो देवराज इन्द्रकी भाँति श्रेष्ठ एवं मधुर वाणीद्वारा मेरी स्तुति करते हुए बोले--
arjuna uvāca | kṛtān abruvaṃ yathābhūtam idaṃ kartāsmi saṃyuge | nivātakavacānāṃ tu prasthitaṃ māṃ vadhaiṣiṇam |
Arjuna said: “I told them everything exactly as it had happened and declared, ‘This is what I am going to do in battle. Know that I have set out with the intent to slay the demons called the Nivātakavacas. Therefore, O sinless and most fortunate gods, grant me such a blessing as will ensure my welfare and success.’ Then, O King, those gods, pleased with him, praised Arjuna in sweet and excellent words, likening him to Indra, the lord of the gods.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic action grounded in truthfulness and right intention: Arjuna openly states his purpose, seeks auspicious blessings rather than personal glory, and frames violence as a duty-bound mission against destructive forces, undertaken for the welfare of the worlds.
Arjuna reports to the gods what has occurred and announces that he is departing to kill the Nivātakavaca demons. He requests their blessing for success and well-being; pleased, the gods praise him with sweet words, comparing his excellence to Indra’s.