Shloka 17
Book 3, Āraṇyaka-parva — Adhyāya 19: Pradyumna’s Reproach of Withdrawal and the Ethics of Kṣātra Reputation
प्रयुज्यमानमाज्ञाय दैतेयास्त्र महाबलम् । ब्रह्मास्त्रेणान्तराच्छित्त्वा मुमोचान्यान् पतत्रिण:,प्रद्यम्नने शाल्वको अति शक्तिशाली दैत्यास्त्रका प्रयोग करता जानकर ब्रह्मास्त्रके द्वारा उसे बीचमें ही काट डाला और अन्य बहुत-से बाण बरसाये
prayujyamānam ājñāya daiteyāstraṃ mahābalam | brahmāstreṇāntarāc chittvā mumocānyān patatriṇaḥ ||
Menyedari bahawa senjata Daitya yang amat dahsyat telah digerakkan, dia memintasnya di pertengahan dengan Brahmāstra, memotongnya jatuh; kemudian dia melepaskan banyak anak panah yang lain. Episod ini menegaskan bahawa kekuatan yang melampau harus ditentang bukan dengan amarah membuta tuli, tetapi dengan pertimbangan tajam dan tindak balas yang sepadan, dipandu oleh penguasaan dan kawalan diri.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in battle, power should be governed by clear perception and restraint: recognize the threat, neutralize it with an appropriate counter, and act to protect rather than to indulge anger.
Vāyudeva describes how a formidable Daitya-weapon is detected as it is launched; it is cut down mid-flight by the Brahmāstra, after which many additional arrows are released.