Shloka 17
Chapter 40: Śiva in Kirāta Disguise Tests Arjuna
Mūka-vadha and the Contest
न त्वेतत् सहसा पार्थ मोक्तव्यं पुरुषे क्वचित् । जगद् विनाशयेत् सर्वमल्पतेजसि पातितम्,परंतु कुन्तीकुमार! तुम सहसा किसी पुरुषपर इसका प्रयोग न करना। यदि किसी अल्पशक्ति योद्धापर इसका प्रयोग किया गया तो यह सम्पूर्ण जगत्का नाश कर डालेगा
na tv etat sahasā pārtha moktavyaṃ puruṣe kvacit | jagad vināśayet sarvam alpatejasi pātitam ||
But, O Pārtha, you must never discharge this rashly against any man. If it is unleashed upon one of little spiritual or martial power, it would destroy the entire world. The warning frames the weapon’s use as a matter of restraint and responsibility, not mere victory.
भव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Immense power must be governed by dharma and restraint. A divine weapon is not to be used impulsively or against an unworthy/weak target, because disproportionate force can cause catastrophic, world-level harm.
Bhava (Śiva) instructs Pārtha (Arjuna) regarding the proper, limited use of a formidable divine weapon, warning that misapplication—especially against one of little tejas—could lead to universal destruction.