Shloka 12
Arjuna’s Lament, the End of the Yadus, and the Pāṇḍavas’ Departure
यत्तेजसाथ भगवान् युधि शूलपाणि- र्विस्मापित: सगिरिजोऽस्त्रमदान्निजं मे । अन्येऽपि चाहममुनैव कलेवरेण प्राप्तो महेन्द्रभवने महदासनार्धम् ॥ १२ ॥
yat-tejasātha bhagavān yudhi śūla-pāṇir vismāpitaḥ sagirijo ’stram adān nijaṁ me anye ’pi cāham amunaiva kalevareṇa prāpto mahendra-bhavane mahad-āsanārdham
त्याच्याच तेजामुळे युद्धात शूलपाणि भगवान शिव गिरिजेसह माझ्यामुळे विस्मित झाले; प्रसन्न होऊन त्यांनी स्वतःचेच अस्त्र मला दिले. इतर देवांनीही आपापली अस्त्रे दिली, आणि याच देहाने मी इंद्रभवनास जाऊन महान आसनाचा अर्धा भाग मिळवला।
By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, all the demigods, including Lord Śiva, were pleased with Arjuna. The idea is that one who is favored by Lord Śiva or any other demigod may not necessarily be favored by the Supreme Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Rāvaṇa was certainly a great devotee of Lord Śiva, but he could not be saved from the wrath of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Rāmacandra. And there are many instances like that in the histories of the Purāṇas. But here is an instance where we can see that Lord Śiva became pleased even in the fight with Arjuna. The devotees of the Supreme Lord know how to respect the demigods, but the devotees of the demigods sometimes foolishly think that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is no greater than the demigods. By such a conception, one becomes an offender and ultimately meets with the same end as Rāvaṇa and others. The instances described by Arjuna during his friendly dealings with Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa are instructive for all who may be convinced by the lessons that one can achieve all favors simply by pleasing the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whereas the devotees or worshipers of the demigods may achieve only partial benefits, which are also perishable, just as the demigods themselves are.
FAQs
This verse recalls that Arjuna’s extraordinary prowess was so striking that Lord Śiva (the trident-bearer), along with Pārvatī, became astonished and granted Arjuna his own divine weapon.
Arjuna is recounting how the same exceptional power and merit led him (and others) to be honored even in Indra’s heaven—highlighting how great his former strength once was.
Even the highest honors and powers are temporary; remembering past achievements should lead one toward humility and timely detachment, turning the mind toward lasting spiritual shelter.