Shloka 80
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
निबोधत महाभागा: शिवं चाशास्त मेडनघा: । ततो वाग्भि: प्रशस्ताभिस्त्रिदशा: पृथिवीपते । तुष्ठबुर्मा प्रसन्नास्ते यथा देवं पुरंदरम्,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--
nibodhata mahābhāgāḥ śivaṃ cāśāsta me 'naghaḥ | tato vāgbhiḥ praśastābhis tridaśāḥ pṛthivīpate | tuṣṭubur māṃ prasannās te yathā devaṃ purandaram ||
Arjuna said: “Understand, O fortunate and sinless ones, and grant me what is auspicious.” Then, O lord of the earth, those gods—pleased and gracious—praised me with noble words, just as they would praise Purandara (Indra). In this moment the narrative highlights a warrior’s ethical resolve: before undertaking violent action, Arjuna seeks divine sanction and a blessing for right outcome, framing the coming battle as a duty-bound mission rather than personal aggression.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a warrior must act violently, the action should be anchored in dharma: seek auspicious intent, divine approval, and right motivation, so that force is used as duty rather than ego-driven aggression.
Arjuna addresses the gods, asking them to understand and grant him auspicious blessing; the gods, pleased, respond by praising him with noble words, likening their praise to how they honor Indra (Purandara).