Shloka 18
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
स बभूवातिकायश्व बहुपादशिरोभुज: । त॑ ब्रह्मास्त्रेण सौमित्रिर्ददाराद्रिचयोपमम्
sa babhūvātikāyaś ca bahupādaśirobhujaḥ | taṁ brahmāstreṇa saumitrir dadāra adricayopamam ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “It became monstrously huge, with many feet, heads, and arms. Then Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa), using the Brahmāstra, tore that mountain-like mass apart.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When a threat becomes overwhelming and assumes a terrifying, disproportionate form, the epic frames righteous protection as requiring both courage and disciplined use of higher knowledge (here symbolized by the Brahmāstra). Power is shown as legitimate when directed to restrain destructive forces rather than to gratify anger.
A being (or manifested form) grows gigantic, described as having many feet, heads, and arms. Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitrī) responds by deploying the Brahmāstra and rends the mountain-like mass apart, neutralizing the danger.