Shloka 70
निवातकवचवधः — Arjuna’s Neutralization of the Nivātakavacas
Vajra-astra deployment
विषहां यन्मया कर्तु कृतमेव निबोध तत् | ततो मामब्रवीद् राजन् प्रहसन् बलवृत्रहा,“तुम उसे देनेकी प्रतिज्ञा करो, तब मैं अपने महान् कार्यको तुम्हें बताऊँगा।” राजन्! यह सुनकर मैंने देवराजसे कहा--'भगवन्! जो कुछ मैं कर सकता हूँ, उसे किया हुआ ही समझिये।” नरेश्वरर तब बल और वृत्रासुरके शत्रु इन्द्रने मुझसे हँसते हुए कहा --
viṣahāṁ yanmayā kartu kṛtameva nibodha tat | tato māmabravīd rājan prahasan balavṛtrahā ||
Arjuna disse: “Sabe isto: tudo o que podia ser feito por mim já foi feito.” Então, ó Rei, Indra, o matador de Bala e Vṛtra, sorrindo, disse-me: “Primeiro faz a promessa de dá-lo; depois te direi a grande tarefa que tenho em mente.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical commitment: before receiving a divine instruction or boon, one is asked to bind oneself by a promise. It underscores accountability—great tasks require prior consent and readiness to bear consequences.
Arjuna reports to the King that he has already done what he could. Indra, smiling, tells Arjuna to first promise to give what is asked; only then will Indra reveal the ‘great task’ he intends to assign.